
^fgOT> 



If 




Gopight]^" 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



<$^<$><$>^<$><$><$><$'<$'^<$><$^<$><$><$><$'<$><$><$><$'<$><$'<$><^<M>^ 



Fitting SDcep 



For SDoip Ring 
and n^arkct 

W- 3- Clarke 



oX 



'■Slifpltcrd Btiir 



Being a Practical Treatise on the 
Selection, Judging, Feeding and 
Care of Sheep and Lambs for the 
Show Ring and Sale by Auction. 
To which are added Chapters on 
Dressing Sheep and Lambs for 
the Market. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. 



V CHICAGO. (LL 

Draper Publishing and Supply Co. 

1900 , 



<$><^/^^<^<^<^^^^/^<^^^<^<^^'^'$;><$>^^^<^<$^'^^<^<^'^<M/$;><^<^^^<$><^^ 



CONGRt^S. 
Jfio CcpiRs Recei«f8d 

JAN 5 1903 

Copyrignt &ntry 

CLASS ^(^ mtrH: 
/ T- J- M- 

„, 9m,*- — 



Copyrighted, 1900, 

BY 

Draper Publishing and Supply Company, 
Chicago, III. 



Printed by Draper Publishing and Supply Co, 
Chicago, 111. 




Author's Preface. 

O more enchanting work, perhaps, falls to the 
lot of tile shepherd tiian that of the fitting of his 
show Hock for battle in llic ring. A well-fitted 
show-flock is the pride of the shepherd, the joy 
of the flockmaster. and one of the prettiest and 
'ip^'|"i[?'4f most valuable object lessons that can be pre- 
»p scnted to lovers of rural life. Whilst it is unde- 

niably true that we have many really clever fitters among us, 
it is no less true that the proportion of American born ones 
is lamentably small. The reasons that may be offered in 
defense of such state of things are legion; among the most 
prominent being: The jealous way in which shepherds 
guard their "secrets." — so-called, — and the half-hearted way 
in which the majority of our most popular works on sheep- 
husbandry treat on this most important branch in the man- 
agement of stud flocks. 

This volume is not intended as a brilliant literary pro- 
duction, but as a plain, practical instructor to the novice 
who aspires to become proficient in the art of fitting sheep 
for the show-ring, market, etc. 

What I have gleaned from many years of practical ex- 
perience in the fitting and handling of show-flocks, in 
the United States. Canada, and England, on what I believe 
to be the most modern and approved principles, will be 
herein chronicled in as clear and terse a manner as the 
author's literary abilities will allow. That many of our 
fraternity will find this volume of value, and help to them 
i« the sincere wish of 

SHEPHHRD BOY. 



CONTENTS. 

PART I. 
FITTING SHEEP FOR SHOW. 
Selection— Seek for Constitutiou— The State Fair as an Object Les- 
son—Judgment — Points— The Fleece'^The Skin — Feeding — Feeding to 
be Governed by Temperament — The Feeding of Lambs— Usual Way 
of Feeding Lambs— Punctuality in Feeding— Importance of Forcing-' 
What is Bloom? — Ewes Damaged by Their Own Urine- Milk-fed 
Lambs— Early Lambs Best for Show— Getting Ewes in Season— A 
Good Cress for Exhibition Purposes— Housing— Exercise— Care of 
Feet — Shearing— Stubble-Shearing — Blocking Out— Show Lambs Not to 
be Shorn — Washing — Dipping — Coloring — Trimming — Blanketing — How 
Blankets are Made — The Fitting of Wethers — Making Entries for 
Show — Starting for the Shows — What Constitutes the Various Classes 
of Show Sheep — Overheating of Show Stock — The Importance of Ex- 
ercise for Show Sheep While on the Circuit — Sheep Getting Tired — 
Judging Day — Showing Out— How to Reduce Show Stock — Spring 
Crops- The Preparation of Sheep for Sale by Auction — Preparing Rams 
for Sale 

PART II. 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF THE FLOCK. 
The Relation of Shepherd and Flockmaster — The Evolution of the 
Modern Mutton Breeds — On Purchasing the Flock — The Fleece of 
Breeding Stock — Mating — Inbreeding^The Management of the Ram 
When in Service — The Teaser — The Sheep Barn — In the Shepherds' 
Room — Ventilation — How Often Should the Sheep Barn be Cleaned? — 
The Importance of Abundant Bedding— The Value of a Straw Stack 
— The Importance of Keeping Sheep of Different Ages Separated — 
Shepherd's Marking Ink — Hurdles— Lambing Pens— The Care of Preg- 
nant Ewes — Importance of Exercise for Breeding Ewes — Change of 
Pasture— Feeding the Breeding Ewes — A Cheap and Healthful Ration 
for Breeding Ewes — Regularity in Feeding — At What Time Should 
Lambs Come?— Period of Gestation — The First Symptoms of Yean- 
ing — How to Manage a Ewe When Yeaning — Troubles in Yeaning — 
Ewes Disowning Their Lambs— How to Make Them Own Them — 
How to Make a Stanchion — How to Suckle a Lamb — Reviving a Chilled 
Lamb— Wool to be Clipped from the Ewe's Flanks and Udder— How 
to Catch a Sheep — Raising a Cosset Lamb— Marking the Lambs — 
Feeding the Lambs — Baby Fat — Ear-tagging — Weaning — Docking — 



Contents — Concluded. 

Maggots— Breeding of Ewe Lambs— Using Ram Lambs— Breeding of 
Dorsets Twice a Year— How to Tell a Sheep's Age— Tagging— How to 
Drench a Sheep— Dipping— The Shearing of Stud Flocks— Various 
Styles of Shearing— On Tying the Fleece. 

PART III. 

RAISING HOTHOUSE LAMBS. 

Ewes to be Stimulated by Extra Feed— Castrating or Docking Spring 
Lambs Unnecessary — Desirable Markets — In the Hothouse — Rations 
for Spring Lambs— Rations for the Breeding Ewes. 



COMMON AILMENTS OF THE FLOCK AND HOW TO TREAT 
THEM. 

The Hospital — The Stomach Worm— To Prevent the Attack of the 
Gadfly— Constipation — White Scours — The Liver Fluke — Woolballs in 
Lambs' Stomachs— Stretches— Navel-ill— Garget— Ewes Casting Their 
Withers — Scab — Tapeworm — Inflammation of the Eyes — "Quidders"— 
Diarrhoea — Joint-evil — Tumors — Caked Udder — Abortion — Lice — The 
Sheep Tick— Footrot— Grub in the Head — Bloat — Broken Limbs — Urin- 
ary Troubles of Rams — Colic — Rupture — Sore Teats — How to Bleed a 
Sheep — Nodular Disease of the Intestines — Hints on Making a Post- 
Mortem Examination (illustrated). 

PART V. 

FORAGE CROPS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR 
SHEEP. 

Forage Crops — Roots — Cabbage — Thousand-headed Kale — White 
Mustard— Kohl Rabi — Common Turnips — Mangels, or Beets — The Sand 
Vetch — The Spring Vetch — Rye — How to Raise Rape — Rape in the 
Cornfield — Ensilage — Sainfoin— Alfalfa, or Lucerne. 



SLAUGHTERING AND DRESSING SHEEP AND LAMBS FOR 
MARKET. 

Selection of Fat Lambs— Fasting— Appliances for Slaughtering- 
Sticking— "Pithing"— Legging — "Wizzling" — Washing — Gutting— 
Skewering up the Shanks, etc. — Fixing up a Lamb— How to Fix a 
Poor Lamb to Make it Appear Fat — Packing and Shipping — Clean- 
liness in Dressing— How to Cut Up a Mutton Carcass — On Judging 
Mutton Sheep. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

1. How to mnke a sheop l)Uinkot 39 

*J. Extorlor vlow of modem wlipep barn 7- 

3. Interior view of modem slieep barn 74 

4. Ground plan of modern sbeep baru 7(j 

5. Hurdle No. 1 sn 

6. Hurdle No. 2 8C 

7. Clamps used in castrating IK! 

S. Diagram of dipping plant 132 

9. Diagram of dipping plant 1.'54 

10. Sheep shorn the long way 13S 

11. Fleams used in bleeding sheep ■ 19."i 

12. Partially dissected sheep 200 

13. Lamb dressed with leng baclisets 204 

14. Lamb dressed with sliort bacljsets 20'J 

ir>. Grade yearling wether 21S 

16. Mutton carcass 22." 

17. Saddle and legs of mutton 221; 

18. Dressed yearling wether 22'J 

19. Lamb dressed with short baclisets— front view 231 



PLATES. 

I. A Typieal English Scene Frontispiece 

II. Oxford Ram 23 

III. Group of Lincolns 51 

IV. Kambouillet Kam "Kaiser" !>6 

V. Hampshires .'iS 

VI. Group of American Merinos C7 

VII. Cheviot Ram 81 

A'lII. Blacljface Highland Ram 93 

IX. Group of Dorsets 103 

X. Shropshire Ram Ill 

XI. Romney Marsh Ram 121 

XII. Dorset Ram 14." 

XIII. Shropshire' Lamlis l.^O 

XIV. Southdown Ram lf.2 

XV. Cotswolds 171 

XVI. Flock of Suefidks 179 

-WII. Uelaine Ram "iSeusation" 1S9 



PART I. 




Selection. 

N • THE selection of suitable subjects for the 
show-ring, the greatest care and soundest judg- 
ment must needs be employed to avoid disaster 
;it the cutset, and animals carrying only the truest 
impress and highest characteristics of the breed 
I %•'•- '^ v^--' ■ ■ '"tended to be represented, should be selected. 

Whilst size is a most important factor in the 
make-up of a show animal, the fact should not be lost sight 
of that quality must under no consideration be sacrificed at 
the expense of quantity. That an animal of extra large size, 
possessed of extra quality, must naturally defeat an animal of 
less size and carrying no more quality than its opponent, 
must be at once clear to the merest novice. It does not 
stand that no big rams carry quality of a high degree any 
more than all small or medium size ones carry the superlative 
degree of quality. But it should be borne in mind that a 
happy combination of size and quality, and vice-versa, is 
the key-note of the exhibitors' success. 

Seek for Constitution. 

One most important feature in the selection of our sheep 
is constitution. Be observant that both rams and ewes carry 

7 



Fitting Sheep 



the true signs of constitution, but don't mistake yourself that 
coarseness is evidence of this vahiable characteristic. 

There are many powerfully built sheep, that is, sheep car- 
rying immense bone, which are constitutionally weak. IMany 
of the largest members of our flocks are upon examination 
found to be built upon lines wholly against the laws that 
denote strong constitution. They are slab-sided, or in other 
words, their ribs are imperfectly sprung, they have not the 
necessary room for the proper development of a healthy pair 
of lungs. The muscles of the leg, the muscle fibre, and ro- 
tundity of the twist that show the strength to carry a heavy 
body are not in evidence, neither is thickness of flesh, breadth 
of skull, width between the eyes, and the short, thick, stubby 
face that denotes power of stubborn endurance. Usually a 
sheep low on leg, with well sprung ribs, deep in chest, strong 
in twist, carries a constitution that ivill meet all ordinary- 
requirements and expectations of modern shepherds. 

The State Fair as an Object Lesson. 

No better opportunity ofi^ers itself to the novice for observ- 
ing what really constitutes quality of a high degree in sheep 
than that of a visit to almost any of our State fairs; especially 
those of the Middle and Eastern states. Here we find con- 
gregated together in battle array, some of the finest specimens 
of sheep that the world can produce, or money purchase; 
and it is here we find ample room for comparison of degree 
of quality as pertains to the various exhibits of one individual 
breed of sheep, or the broader comparison of breed against 
breed; this, then, will not fail to prove one of the most 



¥OK Snow Ring and Makkf.t. 



interesting and valuable object lessons procurable (<> the 
youthful aspirant to fame in the show-ring. 

Judj^ment. 

It is among the thougluful. patient and observant shep- 
herds that we find our best judges of sheep. It requires con- 
slant handling of a breed to become thoroughly acquainted 
with the true exhibition points, qualities and merits of a 
breed. In these days of rapid progress, fashion asserts her 
sway, even on subjects pertaining to shepherding. The type 
of some of our leading mutton breeds of sheep has undergone 
a decidedly marked change and great improvement during 
the past ten years; therefore, it can be easily understood why 
to become a really expert judge o{ a breed it requires 
thought, observation, and the constant handling and study- 
ing of a breed to thoroughly understand the true type that 
fashion dictates as being the correct one of to-day. Whilst 
in fat stock contests the mutton conformation of the animal 
is the leading consideration, in breed contests- the embellish- 
ments that must accompany true mutton form in the make- 
up of a typical show animal must be given due consideration. 
It is well for the novice to hold this fact in view, and if he is 
not satisfied in himself that he is capable of making judicious 
selections of show stock, he shoidd seek aid from the many 
reliable sources this country admits of. 

Quite often judges are called upon and accept the respon- 
sibility of passing judgment upon exhibits of the various 
breeds of sheep, the character and general conformation 
of which they cannot be said to be conversant with. Although 
they may conscientiously do the best their judgment dictates. 



10 Fitting Sheep 



they sometimes err so much that they do great harm and 
injustice to the breeders and their exhibits, while at the same 
time they detract from their own credit as judges of the breed 
of sheep the merits and points of which they may be actually 
conversant with. While we may know what the most de- 
sirable conformation of the body of a typical mutton sheep 
may be, the type and characteristic^ of the various mutton 
breeds vary so much that to get a correct idea of them we 
must iiave considerable experience in handling them before 
we should be admitted as critical judges of any of the breeds 
we are to pass judgment upon. For those having experience 
in handling sheep other than the Merino to pass judgment 
upon a modern Shropshire could not be accepted as anything 
but an injustice to the breeder and exhibitor, and vice versa, 
for what can a shepherd who has handled nothing but mutton 
breeds be expected to know about the technical points and 
type of a well-bred Merino? It cannot be expected that he 
should know any more than a Shire horse breeder who has 
never handled a race horse should be acquainted with the 
points of the latter. Another mistake often made by judges 
is that of allowing over-fed, broken-down sheep to take 
premier places over sheep that are in the fullest of health and 
bloom. While they will carefully examine the fleece to find 
a trace of dark wool, and the skin for undesirable discolora- 
tions, they will totally ignore the importance of trotting the 
animals around the ring to see if they are firm on their pas- 
terns or have been overheated in feeding and thereby ren- 
dered useless for procreating their species. When an animal 
is shown let him be shown for what he is actually worth 
to-day, not for what he has been, or what he may some day be. 
Entirely too many sheep are shown which are said to have 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



been injured on the cars, when in reality they are nothin!C 
more or less than lame, over-fed. broken-down, useless tubs 
of blubber dressed in sheep's clothing. 

Points. 

I have always considered that the principal points of a ram 
to be a thick, heavy scrag, a broad, distended nostril, and 
a thick shapely twist. In company with these, we almost 
invariably find a strong, robust constitution; broad, fleshy 
loin; full, broad chest and brisket, breadtli between the ears 
and eyes; good, broad, level, smooth crops, and a good, 
strong level back. When working as a slaughterman in the 
old country, I almost invariably noticed that animals carry- 
ing the thick scrag and full twist were the best "cutters" all 
the way through. A ram with a thin scrag, or twist, should 
be quickly discarded for show or any other purpose. 

A well sprung rib is usually found in company with a full, 
shapely twist; on the other hand, however, it does not follow 
that an animal carrying the most correctly sprung rib in- 
variably carries a good twist. It appears that nature does 
more for the welfare and proper development of the fore- 
quarters of the male animal than it does for his hind-quarters. 
This is plainly evident in the conforniation of the male sex 
of almost all wild animals of a herbivorous nature. The heavy 
shoulders appear unbecoming and unsuitable companions for 
the lank hind-quarters of many of these animals: this same . 
thing being evident also among our domestic animals where 
breeding has not been carefully studied. 

There is always a tendency among our domestic animals 
to reversion, and with neglect they will soon be on the road 



12 Fitting Sheep 



of retrogression. It is very easy for the novice to make a 
serious mistake in judging the points of an animal by con- 
founding a poor twist with a good one; he too often thinks 
that because a sheep is "well-meated" down the thighs and 
not "split up" behind that he is perfect in twist. Upon crit- 
ical examination, however, this does not always prove to be 
true. Upon taking a rear view of an animal we often find 
that although "well meated" down the leg, even to the 
gambrel joint, it shows a somewhat contracted or squeezed 
appearance, the leg of mutton showing a tendency to flatness 
instead of roundness. Then, again, the legs are not set wide 
enough apart, and that graceful curve and full muscle that 
goes to form the well-developed twist is not in evidence, 
neither does the animal stand with that degree of assurance 
and strength, or is he so active on his feet as the animal that 
carries the well formed twist. There is as much difiference in 
the shape of a good twist and a poor one as there is in a well- 
shaped pear before and after being flattened out by pressure. 

The sheep with a well-formed Iwist carries mutton on 
both the inside and outside of the leg; the rotundity of the 
leg plainly showing it. Sheep strong in the twist are not 
usually easily broken down while being fitted for the show 
ring, where the proper and necessary exercise is allowed 
them. Good twists are more often met with in short-legged 
animals than in others. 

.\nother thing which does not usually receive the neces- 
.sary attention and judgment at the hands of the novice, and 
indeed many of our experienced judges, is the proper devel- 
opment of the crops of a sheep. Too many animals that have 
no crops at all, as it were, too often receive honors that should 
be given to more deserving animals. No animal with imper- 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 13; 



fectly sprung ribs can be said to be good on the crops. 
Where the ribs are well sprung the shoulders are well set 
apart, but where ilic animal is slab-sided the shoulder-blades 
usually run together at a point, which at once condemns the 
animal as one decidedly poor in the crops, and an animal 
poor in this point cannot be accepted as of a desirable mut- 
ton form. 

All rams of both the Downs and the Longwools should 
be polled or free from horns. No matter how good they may 
otherwise be, no ram should be awarded a premium that shows 
the slightest trace of horns or stubs. Even now, after many 
years of careful breeding our Downs are liable to produce 
horns once in a while, but of course cases of this kind be- 
come more rare each year. 

The Fleece. 

The fleece of show stock should be minutely examined, 
and any showing the slightest tendency to dark or black 
spots should not be countenanced, either as show or breeding 
stock. There is a tendency in some breeds to "throw dark 
spots" in fleece more so than in others. I refrain from in- 
dividualizing or mentioning breeds, for reasons that must 
be obvious. Sometimes these black spots, if any exist, are 
to be found in the wool on the thighs or more properly, per- 
haps, hind legs of the animal. 

Sometimes the purest blooded sheep are found carrying 
imperfections of the fleece, such as dark or gray tufts of wool, 
on their sides or other parts of their bodies; in many cases 
they are so small as to be easily overlooked by the judge, 
while in others they will be as large as a silver dollar. This,. 



14 Fitting Sheep 



of course, being plainly visible at once condemns them as 
show animals. Some unscrupu'ous exhibitors have been 
known to do some pretty sleek "jockeying" to hide these 
defects. There are instances in which ten cents worth of 
dye has been known to be the means of a sheep — that was 
utterly disqualified for show purposes on account of defects 
of the fleece — winning a premium to which another animal 
was justly entitled. Sheep having traces of black or discol- 
ored wool are very apt to transmit them to the offspring, 
hence the importance of at once turning down a specimen 
carrying these defects. Down sheep with long coarse fleeces 
should not be selected as candidates for the show ring, no 
matter what other good qualities they may have to recom- 
mend them, neither should sheep with the least trace of 
"kemp" in its fleece, as it cannot possibly win under a judge 
that is worthy of the name. Kemp is usually found on sheep 
carrying a light, open fleece. It is most prominent on the 
breech of the animal, more so than on any other part of its 
body, although it is usually found disseminated entirely over 
it. Some authorities claim this to be a disease. The writer 
has always considered it more of a freak of nature, as some- 
times lambs from the best bred flocks, both males and fe- 
males, will be found to be "kempy." In no case is it advisable 
to use an animal that has the least trace of "kemp" in its 
fleece for breeding purposes. A show sheep of the Down 
breeds should be covered from the "nose to the toes" with as 
compact, dense, and fine a fleece as is possible to procure in 
an animal that has all the other qualities that go in the 
make-up of a really good show animal. When examining the 
fleece in selecting candidates for exhibition purposes great 
attention should be given to the condition of the "breech" 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 15 

of the animal, as tliis is where defects in the fleece will be 
most conspicuous, if existing at all. The finest and most 
valuable portion of the fleece is found at a point near the 
center of the shoulder-blade, and extending in a line along 
the animal's side to a point just above the flank. The student 
would do well to carefully examine and study the diflerence 
in the nature and quality of the various parts or sections of 
the fleece of the stock he intends to exhibit before wasting 
care and feed on animals that on account of the inferiority 
in these respects cannot possibly win a premium. A close, 
dense fleece is generally short in staple. This is preferable, 
however, to the long, coarse, open fleece; that is, where the 
Down breeds of sheep are considered. The fleece is the cri- 
terion of the health of a sheep, and where the show animal's 
fleece is dry and harsh something surely is wrong, as a well- 
fed sheep when in health carries a fleece full of life and 
lustre. The fleece of the Dorset is wonderfully free from 
defects, as far as discoloration of same is considered. The 
writer has never as yet seen a Dorset clothed in a black 
or discolored fleece. This is no doubt accounted for from 
the fact of their having been bred in purity for so long a time. 
It is important that the fleece of the Longwools be of great 
length of staple, strong in fibre, and finely crimped almost to 
curliness. 

The Skin. 

The skin of show, and, for that matter, of all sheep, should 
be of a beautiful, rich, brilliant pink, free from foreign color 
or shade. It is claimed (and no doubt with good reason) 
by the greatest living authorities, that a pale skin points ta 



16 Fitting Sheep 



a delicate constitution. This is amply proven by the fact 
that the most beautiful pink skin of the most robust, healthy 
animal will fade and assume a dull, sickly, pale hue when 
attacked with disease; therefore, we may assume that a pink 
skin is a safe criterion of health. 

What is a pink skin? This question is more easily asked 
than answered. When we speak of a pink skin as pertaining 
to sheep we understand it to be a pure soft pink, pure as the 
pinkest shade of color to be found in the whole list of our 
Flora. Some sheep, even those that have undergone the 
ordeal of fitting, are the possessors of skins that are so dark 
in color that they cannot with any degree of truth be classed 
as pink, while on the other hand some are possessors of skins 
either so pale or so spotted that neither can successfully lay 
claim as owners of pink skins. Feeding and general treat- 
ment will considerably affect the hue or shade of the skin. 

The color of the skin is sometimes heightened by high 
feeding, while poor treatment will give it a decidedly pale 
and "ofif" appearance. 

The intending exhibitor should well consider the character 
of the animal's skin if his ambition and hopes are to be real- 
ized in the show-ring. In some breeds of sheep imperfect 
skins are more common than in others. The writer has al- 
ways found that Dorsets when in good health carry a pink 
skin to a greater degree of perfection than any other breed 
he has yet handled. 

Feeding. 

The successful feeding of show animals is an art in which 
very few, comparatively, can be said to excel. It is not a 
difficult matter to fatten sheep, usually, but to place an 



FOR Show Ring and Market. IT 



exhibit in tlie sliow-yard in that ripe, happy, and balanced 
condition known as bloom, is a matter that no haphazard 
feeder can ever hope to successfully cope with, especially 
where stale stock is under consideration. (By stale stock, 
I mean aged stock that has been repeatedly fitted.) Whilst 
it is advisable, generally, to have new, fresh, young animals 
to exhibit each season, sometimes it is found profitable to 
ht an animal of outstanding character and .nerit more than 
one season. 

The art and aim of the cook is to cook articles of food to a 
nicety; not over or underdone, but "just so." The art and 
aim of the shepherd should be to fit to a nicety. There is 
a moment in the life of a flower when it is in the height of 
bloom, when its beauty is at its best, and in its most perfect 
state; another moment and it is descending the road to decay, 
its bloom is gone, and therefore its charms. Just so with 
our show sheep. There is an indescribable charm in the 
appearance of the fleece, consistency of flesh, and color of 
skin, aye, even the countenance of an animal in perfect bloom, 
that never can be found in either the under-fed or over-fed 
one. 

Feeding; to be Governed by Temperament. 

An old adage says: "What is one man's food is another 
man's poison." What will make bloom on one animal will 
sometimes make blubber on another; therefore the tempera- 
ment of the animal under course of fitting must be consulted 
to bring about good results. If the feeder is a careful ob- 
server and attentive to his business, he will soon learn what 
the various members of his flock are capable of, as regards 



18 Fitting Sheep 



feeding. Ewes, as a rule, fatten more readily than either rams 
or wethers. Aged ewes are apt to take on soft, blubbery, 
superfluous fat, unless very carefully fed and abundantly ex- 
ercised. 

The Feeding of Lambs. 

The first few days after parturition is a very critical time 
among high-bred, blooded stock, and great care should be 
exercised in the feeding of the dam, as most assuredly any 
irregularity of her system will be transmitted to the ofif- 
spring. Again, I would warn the novice of the ill effects of 
the over-feeding of grain. Over-rich milk, sometimes the 
result of grain feeding, means poison to the newly yeaned 
lamb. Plenty of ordinary fodder is the best food for a ewe 
that has recently yeaned. Grain can be fed with good results 
as soon as the ewe and lamb are "up and getting thar." 
Scours and constipation are the most common source of 
trouble to the new-born lamb. If the lamb appears dull, 
and sleepy, constipation is usually found to be the cause. 
Give an injection of warm soapy water, and change diet of 
ewe; this will quickly rectify this trouble. 

Bran, oats and oil-cake, mixed to suit the temperament, 
and constitution of the animal, cannot be surpassed as a 
grain ration for milking ewes. One pound a day will be 
found ample where clover hay and roots are in abundance. 
As soon as the lambs commence to eat they get bran anr 
oats, mixed, and clover hay ad libitum, fed in troughs, anc 
racks set in a pen partitioned ofi from where the ewes can 
get access to it and the lambs can get it, by going through 
"creeps." After a while — say three weeks — oilmeal should 
be added to their grain ration. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. \9 

Usual Way of Feeding Lambs. 

As soon as the lambs are weaned, my methods of feedinp 
are as follows: 

At 6 A. M. a light grain ration, composed of bran, oats 
and oil meal, with a little specially-prepared "lamb food" 
added; after which follows a ration of rape, oats, peas, or a 
combination of these valuable fodders, fed, of course, in a 
green state at noon; a mere taste of grain, clover cut early 
in the morning, and having been allowed to become wilted, 
thereby minimizing danger of bloat. At 6 P. M. moderate 
grain ration, and about a two hours' run in the rape lot, 
in the cool of the evening, when weather permits. Good 
bright clover hay must be fed after each meal, care being 
observed to change it often. In fact, as soon as each animal 
has got through eating the allowed ration, all troughs and 
hay racks should be emptied of their contents. The appetite 
must be cultivated very carefully; stale rations are detrimental 
to the well being of our stock. 

Punctuality in Feeding. 

The feeding of stock intended for exhibition purposes must 
be attended to with the utmost punctuality and regularity by 
the watch, and "at the drop of the hat," as it were. Condi- 
tion powders should be fed occasionally. Unnecessary to 
mention, perhaps, salt must be always provided. 

Importance of Forcing. 

It may be superfluous to mention that all young animals 
intended for show purposes should never have known what 
real hunger is; but, on the contrary, have been pushed 



-20 Fitting Sheep 



along as rapidly as is consistent with safety since their birth. 
A shiftless, unattentive, unfaithful shepherd can never hope 
to attain any fame in exhibition circles. Regularity and 
punctuality in feeding must be his watchword, or he fails 
to accomplish anything. 

Whilst grain is an indispensable adjunct to the successful 
feeding and fitting of show stock, I am herein tempted to 
say without the least fear of possible successful contradiction, 
that there are more show animals ruined and more shepherds 
have failed as fitters of show stock by the over-feeding of 
grain than from any one other known cause. What does 
it mean? It means blubber, it means founder, it means 
rickets, it means overheating and grogginess, it means ruin 
to the fiockmaster, and disgrace to the shepherd. So I say 
to the young aspirant to show honors, Beware! Rations of 
a juicy, succulent nature are what bring about that beautiful 
happy condition, known as "bloom" to the show-follower. 
Rape, cabbage, kale, rutabagas, beets and mangels — the lat- 
ter-named not for rams, however — are both food and medi- 
cine to the growing animal. Grain is a most valuable adjunct 
in the composition of the show animal's ration when fed 
in a rational and moderate manner, but a direct injury and 
poison when once the bounds of moderation are strained. 
How much grain should be fed to an animal depends much 
on its constitution, age, etc. This must be governed by the 
■feeder. 

What is Bloom. 

A question more easily asked than answered. Out of a 
hundred shepherds of which this question may be asked per- 
haps not five per cent could give an intelligible answer. I 



FOR Show Ring and Market. ^ 21 

cannot describe what hl()t)ni is; I liavc tried, time and again, 
bnt in eacli attempt have I signally failed. The best answer 
that I can give to the question is, that "Bloom is the extreme 
height of condition to which an animal can be fed without 
injury to its constitution — that state or condition tliat can 
promise of no higher perfection. As with a flower, there is 
a day when a sheep may be said to be unripe, while the fol- 
lowing day it may be in full bloom, again another day. and 
like the flower it may be over ripe and on the downward 
road to decay unless the shepherd be skilful enough to hold 
liim there. It is so with ourselves. There is a day when we 
are at our best. 

Then why is it that the novice sometimes thinks himself 
slighted and his sheep unfairly dealt with when, in his esti- 
mation, his sheep are well fitted and "fat" enough to win 
anywhere? Simply because his sheep are over-fitted and lack 
bloom, he does not know where to draw the line between 
bloom and blubber, but the judge does. The youthful exhib- 
itor should endeavor to impress upon his own mind the fact 
that a sheep that is gaining in flesh is to a certain extent in 
bloom, but not in the sense that applies to show stock. A 
sheep going up hill is not in bloom, neither is a sheep that 
is on the downward course, but the one that is on the crest 
of the hill, as it were, is. 

It is a comparatively easy matter to get our sheep in 
bloom, but a very diflicult one to keep them in that desirable 
condition. When we once have them in bloom we must 
keep watch that they do not get over-fat. soft, and blubbeiy. 
An animal that is "on the shrink" will handle soft, as likewise 
will an overdone specimen. 

It is not advisable for an inexperienced feeder to attempt 



22 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

holding over his fall fair exhibits with the idea of showing" 
them at the winter fat stock shows, it being far preferable to 
fit animals not so forward, as they almost invariably come 
under the hand in a much finer and firmer condition. 

Ewes Damaged by Their Own Urine. 

• In the fitting of his sheep for show the shepherd some- 
times finds, when the ewes become fat, no little trouble from 
their hind quarters becoming scalded by their own urine 
running down over them, and unless attention is given to 
it right off, the parts become very sore and foul, and the wool 
liable to come off in a solid mass. As soon as this trouble is 
noticed the shepherd should thoroughly wash the parts 
afTected, and after wiping dry, thoroughly rub vaseline into 
the fleece and skin where saturated with urine. This should 
be done every three or four days to ensure any beneficial 
results. 

Mlli<-Fed Lambs. 

It is an open question whether the feeding of milk to show- 
lambs is a benefit or not. That this method forces them 
both as regard to size -and fiesh, there is no question; but,, 
whether it can be said to be a lasting benefit, is questionable, 
and I believe that purchasers of this kind of stock are usually 
disappointed in their purchase ere a year has elapsed after the 
animal coming into their possession. In teaching a lamb to 
suck milk from a bottle or can, it is well to commence in 
the early part of its life, the milk must be tried or tested 
carefully to see what effect it has on the lamb. If the milk 
is too rich, it will cause either scours, or constipation, and 




< ^ 

^ p 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Makket, 



should be reduced in strength by adding water; and as the 
Iamb gets older the milk may be fed stronger. I, however, 
cannot recommend the plan, and have followed it l)iit little. 
If the lambs come early and both they and their dams are 
abundantly and regularly furnished with succulent rations, 
and a reasonable amount of good, sound trough-feed, until 
weaning time, and after that the lambs are fed a little heavier 
of some first-class lamb food, the difference of size or con- 
dition between these and the milk-fed ones is hardly, or, at 
all, discernable. I have raised some extra good lambs that 
had been taught to suck a cow; but when weaned from their 
foster mother, disaster has ofttimes followed, and I cannot 
but condemn the practice. 

Early Lambs Best for Show. 

The early lainl) is without douljt the lamb par excellence 
for show purposes. As before intimated, the combination 
of size and quality must naturally win over quality minus the 
desirable size. Tlie woukl-be-exhibitor, therefore, being 
aware of this fact, would do well to select some of his best 
ewes and breed them as early as practical to the best rams 
his means will admit of, so that the lambs will be of good 
size by the time the show season opens. Although the best 
ewes cannot be said to raise the best lambs, at all times, of 
course it is sound policy to l)reed from tlie best at command. 

Getting Ewes in Season. 

Where difficulty exists in getting our ewes in desirable con- 
dition for the acceptance of the rams' amorous attentions, a 
change from the ordinary ration or pasture field to a field of 



26 Fitting Sheep 



rape will usually bring about the desired result, especially 
if a little grain be added. This will stimulate them. The 
shepherd, however, must be on the alert, and be at once 
ready to check the slightest symptoms of either diarrhoea 
or bloat, that the change of diet may possibly bring about. 
.\Vhen the ewes are without doubt safe in Iamb, they must 
receive especial care and attention, and should be kept by 
themselves, away from the main flock. They must be fed 
with judgment, care being taken that they be kept "fresh" 
but not fat. 

No one should think of raising early lambs unless fully 
satisfied they are well prepared to cater to the comfort 
and welfare of the little weaklings. A warm barn is indis- 
pensable in the raising of early lambs, in most of the states, 
and a tender-hearted shepherd in all states. Lambs, espe- 
cially early lambs, take delight in eating or nibbling the 
earth from off the roots of the turnips, etc., in winter. A 
call from nature no doubt prompts them to do this as a 
regulator of the digestive apparatus. It is, I think, well to 
bear this in mind, and where roots are not provided as a 
winter ration, earth should be dried and stored on purpose 
for the lambs. I have done this, and have never found any 
bad results from the lambs eating quite large quantities of it. 

A Good Cross for Exhibition Purposes. 

Where the exhibitor intends making an exhibit at a fat 
stock show, either in the live or dressed classes, he should 
not forget that size and weight cuts quite a figure where, of 
course, quality is also in evidence, more so than when offering 
fat sheep for sale on the market, as then small handy weights 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



arc preferable t<5 heavy overgrown animals: but where we 
consider the show side of the question, we must not forget 
that we are endeavoring to show wtiat uur animals can do 
in making weights and arc capable of under pressure of high 
feeding. 

If the intending exhilMtor is thinking of raising cross-bred 
sheep for exhibition purposes he \vill find the Oxford and 
Hampshire cross a most desirable one. Ilampshires are re- 
markable for their rapid growth during the earlier stages of 
their existence, while the Oxfords are not far behind them in 
this respect. The offspring from this cross has no superior 
as regards early maturity, desirable mutton form, and wealth 
of flesh. This cross has taken the leading honors at the 
great English Smithfield Show for a number of years. The 
weight and (luality of llosh of the lambs shown by this cross 
being in every case most remarkable. 

Housing. 

Close housing is detrimental to the welfare of sheep. Of 
course they — especially show sheep — must be provided with 
shelter, but close confinement should, as much as possible, 
be avoided. Sheep that are subject to confinement in the 
barns are usually found to be soft and blubbcry; especially 
is this the case with aged sheep. Sheep that arc intended 
for exhibition should be allowed the run of a paddock ad- 
joining the sheep barn fine days and be confined only at 
night, or during a storm, until within about from six to 
eight weeks previous to the opening of the show season; and 
even then, should have the run of a paddock, or yard for 
an hour or so in the cool of the evening, when the weather 



28 Fitting Sheep 



permits of same. To keep high-bred sheep confined in close 
quarters for any length of time, is to court disaster. 

Exercise. 

Exercise is one of the most potent factors in the prepara- 
tion of exhibition sheep. It means health, firm flesh — bloom. 
In the final course of preparation, all show stock should be 
allowed ample exercise in the yard, or paddock, not less 
than once a day; twice being better. Rams should be taught 
to lead whilst young. A halter can be cheaply made out of 
medium sized rope, and answers the purpose equally as well 
as costly leather ones. Needless to say, perhaps, exercise 
should be gentle and regular. 

Care of Feet. 

This is an highly important matter. Each foot should from 
time to time be carefully examined and if trimming is neces- 
sary should be carefully attended to without a moment's 
delay; ofttimes grave results follow neglect of trivial matters 
of this kind. Foot-rot is ofttimes directly traceable to the 
neglect of careful trimming of the hoof. In trimming, pare 
with a view of giving the foot a firm, level bearing. In case 
of foot "fouling" (getting sore between the dibits of the foot) 
finely powdered blue-stone (blue vitriol) should be applied; 
this will arrest progress of trouble, if attended to without 
delay. If "foul-foot" is neglected, foot-rot ensues; the shefep 
rapidly loses flesh, and the chances are slim of the animal's 
appearing in the ring with any bloom, or even at all during 
the season. 



FOR Show King and Market, 2^ 

Shearing. 

The rules governing the shearing of show sheep stipulate- 
that no sheep must be shorn earlier than April i. That 
very many of the sheep shown have a most phenomenal 
tendency to wool growing, or their owners have a tendency 
of creeping around the rules, must be evident to any one 
who has had the merest experience in the handling of sheep — 
especially show stock. That individual sheep, even of one 
and the same breed, do carry wool varying in large dec^rec in 
length of staple, cannot be denied, but not to the extent 
usually noticeable in animals presented for competition in the 
show ring. Perhaps one cannot be blamed for leaving the- 
newly shorn sheep in a pretty snug little coat of wool, con- 
sidering that the weather during the month of April is 
ofttimes cold and bleak. Blankets should be provided in 
case the weather should prove cold; they should be made of 
some warm material. 

Blocking Out. 

Many experts take the opportunity of blocking out, or 
giving shape to their show animals at shearing time. Whether 
much benefit accrues from this method is a matter of opin- 
ion and taste; the writer fails to see the real benefit. If a 
judge is what the word indicates and a showman of the high- 
est order himself, which he should be, he is not usually 
"fooled" by tricks of the trade. To the author's mind a 
short, close, compact fleece is preferable to a long one; the 
body coming under the hand in a firmer and more pleasing 
condition. 



30 Fitting Sheep 



Stubble Shearing. 

Shepherds are an ambitious class, especially in matters 
pertaining to exhibiting. We sometimes find one whose am- 
bition overcomes his discretion, and the employment of ques- 
tionable methods to win a coveted prize is the result. That 
some shepherds actually do receive premiums galore dis- 
honestly by creeping around the rules set down by the vari- 
ous agricultural societies governing the condition in which 
sheep shall be shorn there is no doubt; but of course they 
'do not belong to our class. While these rules are supposed 
to be of a very rigid and ironclad nature, in reality they are 
not. To-day the showyard atmosphere is fairly reeking 
with violations of these rules. There are many tricks em- 
ployed by the professional shepherd, which no doubt add 
much to the beauty and general appearance of his exhibit, 
and which sadly handicap the novice in his race for show- 
yard honors. But you say, why does not the novice enter 
protest against such methods? No one has yet gained much 
outside of the ill-will of the whole shepherding fraternity by 
pursuing such a course. Those having the least experience 
with sheep cannot have failed to notice that many of the 
sheep shown at our fall fairs must be phenomenal wool- 
bearers, if they are honestly and fairly shorn not earlier 
than the first day of April according to the rules laid down 
in most premium lists. Not long since a prominent Irish 
exhibitor of sheep exhibited his flock, each member of which 
had a patch of untrimmed wool left on its body, to show 
the actual length of original staple. Many prominent breed- 
ers, both English and Irish, considered this precedent well 
"worthy of imitation, some going so far as to express a wish 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 31 

not only to see it universally adopted but to be made a 
compulsory measure. No doubt this would afford the judges 
and others an opportunity of cstiniatinjz, llio amount of wool 
which may be expected from any particular breed of sheep, 
but it is hard to see that it would have any tendency to 
curtail the now common practice of "stubble shearing." The 
rule governing the time in which show sheep shall be shorn 
is a useless one and an injustice to the novice. The be- 
ginner, upon reading these rules, will no doubt rigidly adhere 
to their text, and will then be greatly surprised to find when 
the fairs come around that the staple of the wool of his 
competitor's sheep is twice as long as that of his own. One 
thing is certain, just so long as stubble-shorn sheep are al- 
lowed to win at our fairs, just that long will sheep be stubble- 
shown. It is no doubt a pretty hard thing to draw the line 
on such a ticklish question as this, and the sooner the rule 
is abolished and the exhibitor allowed to put his sheep in 
the ring in the condition that his judgment dictates to be the 
best, the sooner the honest and dishonest exhibitor will be 
placed upon an equal footing. So far as putting sheep in 
the show ring in their rough, uncouth field attire is con- 
cerned, it is no doubt wrong from a business or any other 
point of view. It is impossible to illustrate what any breed 
is capable of doing when shown in such a condition. If 
we went to a show or fair our hopes would not be realized if, 
instead of seeing the usual well-fed and beautifully prepared 
specimens now to be seen at such places, we saw only sheep 
such as we could see every day browsing on the pastures of 
our own farms. Those who would be reckless enough to put 
an ungroomcd and ill-fed, unfitted horse into the show ring 
would at once be dubbed a fit candidate for the lunatic asv- 



32 Fitting Sheep 



lum. Then why should not the same apply to the shepherd 
who would dare take his sheep from the field and put them 
into tlie show ring with the hope of beating well-fitted ani- 
mals 

How to Stubble Shear. 

What is stubble shearing? Stubble shearing is, to be frank 
and truthful, dishonest shearing; nothing more; nothing less. 
If we take a sheep, and instead of taking ol¥ the fleece as 
close to the skin as possible, we take only half of it off and 
leave the other half on to be trimmed and moulded into a 
shape that will make the sheep appear fat, square, and phunp, 
we are guilty of stubble shearing. How is a sheep stubble 
shorn? First, take your shears and level ofT the back; next, 
make the under line or belly as level as possible, after which 
trim off what you think necessary from the sides. The breast 
and hind quarters are usually left full and gradually reduced 
and molded into a pleasing form by frequent trimming. A 
sheep, directly after being stubble shorn, usually presents a 
very rough and uncouth appearance, and is anything but a 
pleasing picture, but after it has been trimmed several times 
it gradually grows into a pleasing one. Directly after being 
shorn the sheep should be well washed, and then carefully 
trimmed while the fleece is yet moist. 

Show Lambs Not to be Shorn. 

It is unusual to shear lambs intended for show purposes; 
trimming, however, must be practiced, and that as soon as 
the fleece has a good growth. They should by frequent trim- 
ming be gradually brought into the desired form. The be- 



FOR Snow Ring and Market. 33 

ginncr usually finds uiore difficulty in making lambs assume 
the desired form and smooth state than from the adult 
members of the flock. (Trimming is fully treated on in an- 
other chapter.) 

Washing. 

The washing of show sheep, when properly done, is not 
only a benefit as regards the look of the animal, but is ex- 
tremely beneficial in freeing the pores of the skin of gummy 
and other foreign matter. It promotes the flow of the nat- 
ural lubricant of the wool, and thereby stimulates its growth. 
As soon after shearing as the weather gets warm and pleas- 
ant, the washing of our sheep should receive attention. 
Warm water should be used; or more properly, perhaps, cold 
water with the chill taken off. Castile or some other fit it 
class soap should be used. The dipping vat is a very handy 
utensil for washing sheep in. It is essential that after the 
animal has undergone a thorough washing with soap and 
water that every trace of soap be eradicated from the fleece 
by a thorough rinsing with clean water. If any trace of soap 
remains in the fleece it is apt to make it appear harsh, dry 
and brittle; further it may prove injurious to the skin. 

It is usual to wash the Longwool breeds as soon after 
shearing as the weather permits, and again some little time 
previous to the opening of the show season. This allows 
of the natural oil saturating the fleece and making it assume 
a glossy, brilliant appearance. I deem it advisable to again im- 
press on my readers the importance of thorough rinsing 
with clean water to remove any trace of soap. 

It 's not often found necessary to wash lambs of the Down 



S4 Fitting Sheep 



breeds where care has been duly exercised in keeping them 
■clean. 

Dipping. 

Dipping should be resorted to, even only as a precaution 
against disease that may be lurking around the cars on 
which our sheep are transported from show to show. Us- 
ually ticks do not bother very fat sheep. Dipping should be 
attended to not later than six weeks previous to the opening 
of the show season. With all the good that attends ulti- 
mately the dipping of our animals it must be admitted that 
dipping does detract from the beauty of the fleece for some 
little time after the operation has been performed. 

Coloring. 

It is asserted by many authorities that the real object of 
coloring show sheep is hidden in obscurity. In "Culley on 
Live Stock," we glean that: "The practice of rubbing into 
the wool red or yellow ochre in the month of September was 
intended to qualify the perspiration which would otherwise 
give an asperity to the wool, and to form a coat inpenetrable 
to rain or cold. This cannot apply to the use of coloring 
among our show flocks of today. Just why show sheep are 
colored great diversity of opinion exists even in the present 
day. One authority claims that when first adopted in the 
preparation of show stock it was used with the intention of 
being a guide to the judge in knowing whose sheep he was 
passing judgment upon; whilst others claim it was first in- 
troduced into England by Spanish shepherds, but for what 
purpose they do not say. Coloring is condemned by many 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 35 

of our most prominent flock-masters and live stock journals 
generally. No less an authority than the Prince of Wales 
sees fit to offer condemnation to the "useless habit." 

Positively many of the Down breeds of sheep are presented 
so daubed with grease and coloring ingredients as to make 
them really filthy to handle, but where reason an.d judgment 
are used I consistently believe a little coloring adds rather 
than detracts from the appearance of the sheep; they appear 
more uniform, 

I have found by experiment and practice that coloring 
about a week previous to showing gives the best and most 
pleasing effect to the fleece. Most shepherds have a most 
mysterious formula from which they prepare their coloring, 
of course it being "something my father used to use." This 
they guard with the greatest jealousy and secrecy. 

I have obtained the most pleasing effect from a combina- 
tion of olive, or palm oil, yellow ochre and burnt umber. 
The oil being put into a large bottle or tin can, the ochre is 
added as a ground, and then the umber as the shade; the 
whole being thoroughly mixed by vigorous shaking before 
using. The color, being a matter of taste, must be left to the 
judgment of the operator. Of course it must be borne in 
mind that the umber is the regulator of shade of color. I 
always have made it a point to try the coloring on one of 
the ordinary members of the flock before using on the show 
flock. The reason of this procedure is obvious. 

It is important that the shepherd make it a point to obtain 
the prepared umber which is put up in cans, mixed with oil. 
ready for use. The dry powdered article may. for wliat I 
know, bring about undesirable conditions, or even failure. 



36 Fitting Sheep 



I thought it important to make mention of this as a safeguard 
against possible faihire. 

The mixture now being ready for use, pour a small quan- 
tity into the palm of the hand, then rub over inside of both 
hands, and then go carefully and easily and gradually rub 
thoroughly into the fleece. This should be done after the 
fleece has undergone a careful trimming. After the coloring 
has been done to the satisfaction of the manipulator, take 
the keenest pair of shears at command and again go most 
carefully over the fleece. If these directions are carefully fol- 
low^ed, and faithfully attended to, the operator must be a very 
fastidious personage if other than pleased with results. The 
sheep is now ready for blanketing. 

I have shown sheep on two occasions that were not col- 
ored at all, but washed early and kept clean by thin blankets. 
These were much admired by many exhibitors and drew much 
attention from the casual on-looker. 

Trimming. 

Trimming as an art is not really difficult to acquire. Pa- 
tience and practice are the real essentials in trimming. The 
knowledge of what constitutes a good picture or model of a 
sheep is a material help to the novice in putting up his ex- 
hibit in a really satisfactory style. If the operator has 
artistic tastes so much the better are his chances of becoming 
a first class trimmer. 

In blocking out — giving your subject the desired form, in 
a rough manner — care must be observed that the back be 
made perfectly level, the breast full and rounding, also the 
thighs and all points and peakedness be eliminated from the 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 37 



model. The underline should be straight and the head as 
shapely as possible; in fact your work should be a work of 
graceful curves and perfectly straight lines. The above ap- 
plies to the Down breeds. 

The Longwools should not be trimmed close and smooth, 
as is the case of the Downs, but left in a more rustic and 
natural condition, and any shaping or trimming should re- 
<:eive attention previous to the final washing. In the case of 
our Longwool pets it is usual to allow the fore-top to hang 
gracefully down over the face. This has a very pleasing 
■effect. The pretty Cotswolds should have their fore-tops 
carefully curled before being presented to the shovv-goer or 
judge. 

I will now enter into details regarding the trimming 
proper. Here is my method: After my sheep are "blocked 
out" I take a bucket of water in which a couple of handfuls of 
yellow ochre has been thrown. A stiff brush, a curry comb 
and an exceedingly sharp thin-bladed pair of shears com- 
prise my outfit. With the water into which the yellow ochre 
has been put, I carefully saturate the fleece of the sheep under 
treatment, using the brush for the purpose of rubbing the 
■decoction well in; when well saturated — not sopping — I take 
the curry comb and give the fleece a vigorous currying, after 
which I go over the fleece most carefully, being very careful 
to keep as good a shape in mind as possible, and smoothing 
the best I know how, "straight lines and graceful curves" 
being my motto and design. It is well that the fleece be 
kept moderately moist by frequent application of moisture — 
of course having recourse to the ochre decoction — the shears 
also should be kept extremely keen and perfectly level in 
trimming. The process of trimming must be gone over many 



38 Fitting Sheep 



limes, on various occasions, before the subject under treat- 
ment will appear in a polished and finished condition for 
exhibition. 

Blanketing. 

The blanketing of show sheep has a two-fold purpose; the 
one, that of keeping the fleece clean; the other, for making 
the fleece compact and of a smooth, pleasing appearance. 
At the r>hows we learn it answers for many other purposes, 
such as "keeping the flies of? the sheep," and again, "for 
keeping the sheep warm." When on a tour of the fairs it is 
usual to keep the blankets on our sheep whilst on the cars, 
and also at night in the pens in the show yard; in fact they 
should be kept blanketed until after the premiums have been 
awarded, when, of course, it may be supposed the public is 
entitled to see them at their best advantage. By keeping 
Ihem blanketed, prior to being "passed upon," the visitors 
to the show yard are prevented from disarranging the care- 
fully dressed fleece of the animal, thereby preventing no little 
annoyance to the shepherd. 

How Blankets are Made. 

Blankets may be made from a great variety of material. 
Ducking makes a very neat and serviceable blanket. Burlap 
makes a very serviceable blanket for home use, but a neater 
material is usually preferred for use at the shows. For use in 
the preparation of our exhibition animals at home a cheap 
easily made blanket may be made out of ordinary bran bags. 

The accompanying diagram, representing an ordinary bran 
sack, will give my readers, I think, a fair idea of how it should 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



39 



be made. The dotted line A shows corner of sack that must 
be cut entirely off. This allows of the head coming through. 
The solid line B B shows where and how the seam-side of 
the sack must be cut. At C a slit must be made; through this 
the animal's hind legs go through; this keeps the blanket in 
position. At points i, 2, 3, respectively, and at each end of 
slit C, the blanket will be materially strengthened by tacking 
or sewing. This prevents tearing. 




The above pattern cannot be well improved upon. In the 
case of blankets intended for use on the "circuit." however, 
which of course is made of some good material. I would 
suggest the fastening of the blanket at the breast of the sheep 
by buttons, just as we fasten or button our coats; and at C 
in the place of a slit in the blanket a strap is buttoned, and 
.after being passed underneath or inside of the leg. is secured 
by another button at the rear or just above the gambrel 
joint. 



40 Fitting Sheep 



The Fitting of Wethers. 

In the selection of wethers for exhibition purposes it is im- 
portant that only those of the most perfect mutton type or 
form be selected. Where it is intended that pens are to be 
shown they should be well matched as regard size, type, etc. 
In emasculating lambs that are intended to do battle in the 
wether class it is well that the operator should remove no 
mere of the scrotum than is absolutely necessary to success- 
fully perform the operation, as this, when well filled with fat, 
is not only a guide as to the internal condition of the animal 
from a butcher's point of view, but adds much to the sym- 
metry of a show wether. Show wethers are fitted upon the 
exact same principles as other show sheep. I have, how- 
ever, noticed that they will not readily assume that blubbery, 
over-fitted condition, even when fed upon very heavy grain 
rations, as "entire" sheep are prone to do. 

Making Entries for Show. 

The intending exhibitor should make early application for 
catalogs, entry blanks, etc.. so that he may have ample time 
to determine what shows he will attend. He should be very 
careful to make his entries correctly or confusion may result 
when the time lor judging comes along. 

Starting for the Shows. 

This chapter is intended primarily for the perusal of the 
young shepherd who is about to make his debut in show 
circles. 

From experience I find it very difficult to obtain really 




< / 

en = 




FOR Show Ring and Market. 43 

suitable rations for my show flock at many, and I may say 
most, of our exhibitions. Good clover hay is sometimes 
difficult to obtain, and foods of a succulent nature, such as 
turnips, cabbage, etc., are held at such high prices as to pre- 
vent an exhibitor of modest means investing to the extent 
that he should to do justice to the appetites of the stock 
under his care; therefore, the advisability of providing a 
good stock of rations preparatory to starting on the show cir- 
cuit is evident. 

Turnips should be sacked; rape should be tied in neat 
bundles; hay should be baled, and grain should be mixed 
before starting out. Cabbage should not be forgotten. If 
your flock is small it will not pay to hire a car; it can be 
transported at less cost by the hundredweight. If you cannot 
get '"billed" on the same car as the sheep there remains two 
other chances of your going. One to pay your fare as a 
passenger, the other to hide among the sheep and keep out 
of sight as much as possible whenever the train stops. Of 
course here is a risk of being "kicked oflF the car." Every 
shepherd should carry in his trunk a trocar for use in case of 
bloat among his own or brother showman's stock; being 
careful when using it to drive it in the direction that will 
avoid its striking the kidneys of the animal. Blue vitriol, to 
arrest fouling of the feet, linseed or castor oil for various de- 
rangements of the stomach and intestines, shears, a good sup- 
ply of blankets for the sheep, bedding for his own use, must 
go in the make-up of his equipment or "kit." The fact that 
salt is necessary to the well-being of the flock must not be 
overlooked, even at show time. It is well to remember also 
that the various members of the flock must have daily exer- 



44 Fitting Sheep 



cise or the neglect of this most important matter may result 
in sickness and loss. 

What Constitutes the Various Classes of Show Sheep. 

An aged ram is a ram too old for the yearling class, or, 
in other words, a ram over two years of age. 

A yearling, or shearling ram, is a ram that has not as yet 
got more than his first pair of incisors, or permanent front 
teeth, or a ram that is over one year old, but under two. 

A ram lamb is a male lamb under a year old, or one that 
has, not as yet, got any of its permanent incisors. 

The ages of the female classes are governed by the exact 
same conditions as are the ram classes. 

A pen, unless otherwise stated, consists of three indi- 
viduals, either males or females. 

A pair, is, of course, two of one sex. 

A flock usually consists of an aged ram, yearling ram,, 
lamb ram, aged ewe, yearling ewe, and ewe lamb. 

A Special means a special premium offered outside of the 
ordinary list of premiums, such as Special for best flock,, 
or Special for best ram, etc. 

Sweepstakes means champion or best animal where all 
breeds are competing. 

Champion means the best animal of a given breed, either 
male or female, as the case may be. 

Overheating of Show Stoclt. 

A common trouble in the show flock — an entirely too com- 
mon a one ! When a show sheep becomes overheated it ap- 
pears very much distressed, is very weak in its hind quarters,. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 45 



and consequently cannot stand upon its feet hut a few minutes 
at a time before having to lay down. An overheated sheep is 
nothing more or less than a foundered sheep. As .soon as a 
-heep shows the least .symptoms of being overheated, it should 
lie shorn without a moment's delay, given a big dose of Epsom 
-alts and kept very quiet in a pen by itself. Don't fret and 
worry because the shearing of your sheep means its not ap- 
pearing in the. show-ring again that season, as you may depend 
upon it that this is about the only way or means of saving its 
life. All grain rations must be cut off and nothing but good 
clover hay and succulent rations fed. Although this is a sud- 
den change to its system and against the ordinary rules of 
good feeding, this is a case of the exception being better than 
the rule. It almost passes credence what a large number of 

very valuable sheep are "murdered" yearly by being over- 
heated, and their not receiving the proper attention when in 
that state. I have seen many a good ram find an early grave, 
that shoidd have lived a long life of usefulness had he re- 
ceived the necessary and proper care that an animal in sucli 
a state or condition should have had. 



The Importance of Exerci.sing Show Sheep While 
on the Circuit. 



Shepherds should pay particular attention that their exhi- 
bition flocks get ample exercise even when on the show cir- 
cuit; it is disastrous to their health to allow them to remain 
prisoners in the pens of the show-yard without getting a due 
amount of exercise. They should be exercised regularly twice 
a day — morning and evening. No bother or trouble is ex- 
perienced with the well-trained and educated ram, as he will 



46 Fitting Sheep 



leadily follow the shepherd anywhere and everywhere he may 
wish to lead him. It is usual to exercise the head of the flock 
first, then the aged ewes, and so on down the class to the 
lambs. To avoid trouble, stable companions only should be 
allowed out in the same lot at the same time. Of course 
where there are two or more attendants in charge of the flock 
the work of exercising is but a small matter, but nevertheless 
a very important one. Where, as often is the case, a sheep 
is noticed to be "groggy" we may be sure that imperfect exer- 
cise has had something to do with bringing about this unde- 
sirable condition. It is a matter of impossibility and against 
the rules of scientific feeding to feed an animal very highly 
and successfully without giving it abundant exercise. No 
animal can endure this treatment long without seriously suf- 
fering in consequence. 

Sheep Getting Tired. 

After a long journey on the cars, sheep are sometimes 
liable to become so tired as to get "ofl their feed." The young 
shepherd need have no worry over this. They need rest, and 
must get it before they will eat much. It is better to leave 
them undisturbed as long as they prefer to lie down, and not 
attempt to entice them to eat. It will not be long before they 
•will be up and as hearty as ever. 

In very hot weather it is better to arrange to haul your 
sheep from the station to the fair grounds, that is, if it be of 
any distance from the station. Of course where sheep have 
been receiving abundant exercise during the fitting process 
they may be quietly walked a considerable distance in the 
cool of the evening, but they must not be hurried, or they 
may become injured. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 47 

Judging Day. 

This is a day of exciicment to the exhibitor, and most, if 
not all, are greatly relieved when this day is past and over. 
As I have before intimated, the way in which the various 
members of our show flock behave tliemselves has no little 
to do with their chance of winning. A sheep that will stand 
"all of a heap" — as imtrained ones almost invariably will — 
surely cannot be said to be very taking to the judge's eye — ■ 
or even to that of the casual observer. Hence, the import- 
ance of thorough training. 

^lost of our show yards are provided with show rings, the 
floors of which are perfectly level, so that all exhibitors are 
on the same footing as far as choice of position, or lay of 
ground goes. Where show rings are not in evidence the ex- 
hibitor should aim for his sheep to stand on either perfectly 
level ground, or, if the ground does not permit of this, he 
should arrange that his sheep shall stand with its head up- 
hill. On no account let its position be reversed, as no sheep,, 
not even the most perfectly trained, can be expected to 
"stand out" properly with its head "downhill." One of the 
greatest of England's living shepherds lays claim that much 
of his success as an exhibitor of sheep is due to the way in 
which he prepares and trains them, so that they not only 
attract but keep the notice and attention of the judge. Ex- 
hibitors should do ail in their power to assist the judge in 
his duties and should refrain from "demonstration" should 
he not place the awards just to their liking. 

Showing Out. 

Nothing is more annoying to the shepherd than that of 
handling show stock that has been imperfectly trained or 



Fitting Sheep 



educated. An animal standing "all in a heap" is anything but 
a pleasing picture, even to the most casual observer. Sheep, 
I must "admit, are somewhat "dumb," but they are capable of 
being taught far more' than many are willing to give them 
■credit for. Constant handling makes them tame and man- 
ageable. Sheep that have been used to being led with the hal- 
ter will soon learn what is required of them, and will readily 
follow their shepherd through a dense crowd of people un- 
haltered. 

To make a sheep "stand out" at word of command, square 
upon its feet and in a natural, graceful manner, put your left 
hand underneath its lower jaw, or chin, and the other -hand 
on his loin, gently pressing same. Violence or force must not 
be confounded with care, and gentleness or harm may re- 
sult. The pupil will soon understand what is required of him 
and upon having recourse to the above method described will 
soon assume the desired "poise." 

How to Reduce Show Stock. 

Very many valuable sheep are no doubt ruined by injudi- 
cious and improper treatment after their mission in the show 
y-ard has terminated. 

The proper management in the reduction of show stock to 
normal breeding condition is, to the writer's way of thinking, 
imperfectly understood. Whilst visiting the English "Royal" 
manj' years ago I was struck by a reply of one of the greatest 
shepherds of that day made to an inquisitive visitor who 
questioned him in regard to the reduction of his show stock 
to normal breeding condition. "Do you keep these sheep as 
fat as they now are always or do you reduce their flesh when 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 49 

the show season is over?" "I reduce ihcir fat. sir. but not 
their flesh, but I don't let them know ii." What a deal is 
inculcated in this remarkable answer! 

In reducing an animal to breeding condition, the idea held 
in view should be to reduce slowly, and with the least pos- 
sible danger to the constitution of the animal. To reduce 
an animal in a careless slip-shod manner will soon show its 
effects by the coat assuming a lifeless, dull appearance, and 
ofttimes by the fleece falling out or leaving the skin almost 
entirely. That soft, glossy, compact and brilliant appearance 
that denotes good health of the animal must be preserved as 
much as possible. It is difficult to entirely preserve this. 
The reduction of fat must be accomplished more by exercise 
than the decrease of grain, etc.. at the first start. The animal 
should have the run of a good pasture, and then the grain 
ration may be graduallj' reduced until he receives only suffi- 
cient to keep him vigorous and active; care being observed 
not to allow of his being reduced to "a run-down" condition, 
or irreparable point. Ewes should be reduced as rapidly but 
carefully as possible, so as to allow of their being bred as 
early as possible. Of course I am here alluding to ewes 
whose days of usefulness for show purposes are over. 

Some little difficulty is usually experienced in getting ewes 
that have been repeatedly fitted for show to breed satis- 
factorily. Many of the most prominent English shepherds 
•use a ram lamb on their show ewes, claiming that good re- 
sults almost invariably follow such a course; whilst others 
allow two or more rams to serve the same ewe when in sea- 
son. It is. however, sometimes a very difficult matter to 
induce a show ewe to breed satisfactorily, and it is found 
more profitable in the end to sell her direct to the butcher. 



50 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

Spring Crops. 

Up-to-date shepherds and flockmasters are alive to the 
value of succulent rations for their show animals and aim to 
get same as early in the spring as possible. Nothing in this 
country, by the author's way of thinking, furnishes anything 
like so early and desirable a succulent food, in early spring, 
as the sand vetch and rye sown together, the latter part of 
August, or beginning of September. The sand vetch is a 
winter vetch, which furnishes a most abundant and valuable 
spring fodder crop, which comes early to cutting or pastur- 
ing, is a rapid grower, and much relished by all kinds of 
5tock. Both ewes and lambs make rapid gains when fed 
-daily rations of it. 

It is advisable to cut this — as, in fact, it is all spring fodder 
crops of a very succulent nature — some little time before it 
is intended to be fed so as to allow of its becoming wilted. 
Danger from bloat is then reduced to a minimum. 

The crops that should succeed the above mentioned are: 
Oats and spring vetches (sown together broadcast, prefer- 
ably); oats and peas; then rape, cabbage, etc., in the order 
named. Thousand-headed kale is a wonderful cropper, and 
very nutritious, and is greatly relished by sheep. Clover 
hay and grain should be fed in conjunction with the above- 
named valuable crops; it will keep the bowels in a healthy 
state. I have also found specially prepared lamb foods fed in 
conjunction with the other rations, of immense help in forc- 
ing along the lambs. 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 53 

The Preparation of Sheep For Sale by Auction. 

The Englisli custom of holding aiiiuial. or periodical sales 
by auction of pedigreed slieep, although not much counte- 
nanced, as yet, in this country, has, where tried, proved an 
unqualified success. The writer can vouch for this much 
in one case, however. 

The degree of success attending sales conducted by auc- 
tion, whether it be an annual afit'air or merely a dispersion 
sale, depends — as does any other undertaking — "on the men 
behind the guns." Needless to say, anyone contemplating 
holding a sale of this character should make full and untiring 
preparation for the event. 

One of the principal factors dependent upon the success 
of an auction sale is a really first-class live stock auctioneer; 
■one who has a reputation for this kind of work; in fact a 
specialist in his line of business. There is very much in a 
name when it pertains to matters relating to the pedigree 
live stock business; and I can assure my readers that it 
makes a vast difference in the attendance at an auction sale 
as to the name of the auctioneer found in conjunction with 
the catalogue, or appended to the announcement of the sale 
in the leading stock journals. Breeders of repute employ 
only first-class auctioneers, with reputations of undoubted 
standing. 

All auction sales of sheep of any magnitude should be 
largely advertised in the journals devoted exclusively to the 
sheep industry, as well as the leading agricultural papers. 
The exhibition of stock at the various shows and fairs helps 
much in advertising good stock. 

In the preparation of a flock for public auction much work 



54 Fitting Sheep 



is entailed. Every animal should be catalogued, giving full 
pedigree, etc. All ewes should be bred. All should have 
careful preparation by being carefully fed. and just before 
the sale day arrives should be carefully trimmed and num- 
bered on the side or back with stencil or stamps and mark- 
ing ink. Pens must b.e provided into which it is usual, in 
the case of both ewes and lambs (other than show lambs), 
to put three sheep — this making a pen. The pens should be 
made of a temporary, or rather, a portable character, so as 
to facilitate speed in allowing the sheep to run into the sale 
ring. The ring should have two gates, the one for ingress 
the other for egress. Show and other rams are usually sold 
singly. Show ewes and ewe lambs either singly or in pairs, 
as the case may be. It is well when making the pens to plan 
them so that they may be easily converted into shipping- 
crates; the shipping of all sheep to purchasers at a distance 
devolving uppn the vendor of course. 

Preparing Rams For Sale. 

One of the greatest mistakes our shepherds are making to- 
day is the pampering of rams intended for service on the 
range. Fancy a ram receiving access to rich domestic pas- 
tures and grain almost ad libitum being turned out with a 
large flock of ewes on the ranch where he has, as it were, 
to rustle for an existence. The writer cannot but think this 
to be wrong. In the case of stud rams it is entirely different. 
A ram intended for use among stud flocks should receive the 
most liberal care and feeding. The up-to-date, modern mut- 
ton sheep is none other than the production of the highest 
art and skill of the flock-master in both mating, feeding and 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



55 



breeding, and any deviation from this path most assuredly 
ineans retrogression and ruin to the breed. In the prepara- 
tion of stud rams for sale it is not usual, or even advisable, 
to force them to such a degree as is general with show stock. 
They should, of course, be kept growing from day of birth, 
as a stunted animal of any kind is poor property. Where 
ram lambs or yearlings have the run of both a clover and 
rape field, with a daily grain ration composed of bran, oats 
and oil meal — about three-fourths pound a day — they make 
rapid growth. In the case of the Down breeds they should be 
trimmed occasionally, and kept in as clean and nice shape as 
possible, and where it is intended they be offered for sale 
around at the various fairs, or at public auction, they should 
be carefullv colored and trimmed. 




Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 59 



'J 



PART II. 

The Evolution of the Modern Mutton Sheep. 

■"^■""HI-^ modern mutton breeds of sheep are divided 
.-^■".v^jIR'fS into two classes, viz.: The Long-wools and 
the Middle-wools. In the first-named class we 
find enumerated the Lincoln, the Devon-Long- 
wooi, the Wenslej'daie, the Cotswold, the 
Leicester, the Border-Leicester, the Romney-Marsh or Kentish 
sheep, etc. Among the Middle-wools we find the Southdown, 
the Shropshire, the Oxford, the Hampshire, the Suffolk and 
the Dorset. 

With the exception of the Dorset, all of the above 
named breeds have undergone a most wonderful and agree- 
able transformation during the past few years, and espe- 
cially is this true of the Shropshire, Hampshire and Oxford 
among the down breeds, and the Lincoln, Romney-Marsh 
and Devon-Long-wool among those of the Long-wooled 
breeds. 

Comparatively speaking, it is not so very long since the 
ancestors of the present beautiful breeds of sheep were 
roaming the Downs and marshes of England in a nomadic 
sort of way. But now this is all changed. Fences have 
been built: bogs have been drained: marshes have been 
reclaimed from the sea and in the place of the slab-sided. 
narrow-chested, poor-fleeced, long-legged, thin-fleshed ani-. 



60 Fitting Sheep 



nial that was "monarch of all lie survej'cd" in those days, 
we have an animal of the most beautiful conformation — in 
fact ''a thing of beauty and a joy," to the shepherd, at pres- 
ent if not "forever." With the introduction of forage crops 
into England rapid strides and advancements were made in 
the science and art of feeding and breeding as applied to 
sheep raising. By careful selection, and careful mating 
very many most beautiful, and very symmetrically con- 
formed animals and breeds have been evolved and estab- 
lished. By generous feeding the average size and weight of 
the respective breeds have been substantially increased, as 
has also the w^eight and quality of the fleece. Then in most 
cases the objectionable horns have been eliminated, and in 
various other ways has improvement been brought about 
in the animal that was once "Fed as God Almighty fed the 
fowls of the air and the fish of the sea, upon what they 
could pick up themselves of Nature's bounty, without the 
labor or assistance of man." 

Another most valuable quality that care in selection, mat- 
ing, feeding and breeding has brought about is that of 
early maturity. It is not so very long since wethers were 
kept until they had reached the age of two years, or even 
more, before being marketed. Heavier sheep of superior 
quality are now marketed under one year old. 

Since care has been the watchword of those to whom we 
are indebted for the many beautiful breeds of sheep we 
today have, it is clear it must be ours also if we wish to- 
avoid the deterioration and retrogression of our flocks. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 61 

The Relation of Shepherd and Flockmaster. 

Shepherds, like poets, are born, not made. A shepherd in 
the truest sense of the word is considerably more than a man 
that herds sheep. A shepherd is one endowed with instinct 
and skill that is remarkable when it pertains to the manage- 
ment of a flock. The inherent love for the work debars him 
from giving up his humble calling for one of a more elevating 
and remunerative nature. The fold is the paradise of the 
shepherd. The sheep are his children. His one topic of 
conversation is sheep! sheep! sheep! A good shepherd is a 
busy man, c.nd a business man. Shepherds' abilities vary to 
a very considerable extent. In the general management of a 
flock many are adepts at their business, but lack ability in the 
preparation of specimens for the show ring, where good 
flocks are to be found. There also should be found mutual 
friendship existing, between flockmaster and shepherd, famil- 
iar chats and an exchange of ideas between flockmaster and 
shepherd bring about untold good. It is usually more satis- 
factory for a shepherd to take care of a flock whose owner is 
an expert shepherd himself — one who knows the ins and outs 
of the busines, and knows when his shepherd is or is not, 
doing the right thing with his flock. A flockmaster not him- 
self an expert in the management of the flock, could not do* 
better than leave the practical management of same to the 
discretion and riper judgment of his shepherd, after having 
made clear to him his wishes, as to the result desired to be 
attained. If a shepherd has not the ability to run a flock to 
the owner's satisfaction, the owner has his remedy. For a 
flockmaster who is not well posted, who is incompetent, to 
interfere in the management of a flock that an expert shep- 
herd has been hired to take charge of, is fatal to his own 



62 Fitting Sheep 



interest. As soon as a shepherd finds he is interfered with 
in the management of the flock he quickly imagines his 
abilities are not appreciated, he becomes discouraged, dis- 
appointed and despondent; in fact, useless and incapable. A 
shepherd can no more run a stud flock without the neces- 
sary appliances than a mechanic can work without tools. 
Yet there are flockmasters who sadly handicap a shepherd 
by making no provision for even the crudest of appliances, 
and then wonder why his sheep are not in bloom. Shepherds 
should receive a fixed salary with an added bonus resultant on 
the size and quality of the lamb crop. 

A greater piece of folly could not be thought of than that 
of an owner of a flock, who, being himself a novice in the 
business, hiring an expert shepherd to care for his flock and 
then dictating to him how to run it. The shepherd, if he has 
a particle of manhood about him, could and would not tol- 
erate such an outrage on his rights for one moment. Ofttimes 
the shepherd is better qualified to make sales of sheep than 
is his employer, he being conversant with their individual 
qualities, pedigrees, etc., which he has at his fingers' ends, 
ready for use when occasion offers. It is the duty of the 
flockmaster to provide abundant shelter, food, appliances, 
etc., for the use of the shepherd in the management of his 
flock. He should be prepared to furnish separate enclosures 
for the sole use of the sheep, and should be ready to do any 
and everything that the shepherd suggests that would tend 
to the welfare of the flock. A neglected or ill-managed 
stud flock is an eye-sore and, indeed, a very poor property. 

When flockmaster, shepherd and sheep disagree. 
They will do much better divided in three. 



FOR Snow Ring and Makkf.t. 63 

On Purchasinjt the Flock. 

When purchasing a llock the young beginner sliuukl ex- 
ercise the greatest care and be very, very cautious, or he 
may i)urcliasc disease with it. He should be on the lookout 
lor scab, foot- rot and liver-rot. Although the last men- 
tioned complaint is ni)l common in this coimtry a case is 
sometimes met with. Whore a sheep suffers from a dis- 
eased liver the membrane of the eye assumes a yellowish 
tinge and the animal swells up under the jaws. The flesh 
or fat rather, of some sheep is naturally yellow — yellow 
as butter. I have met many such cases as these when work- 
ing as a slaughterman. Yellow mutton of course is an 
e.xtremely hard thing for the butcher to dispose of at any- 
lliing like a profitable figure. The greatest security the 
novice has against purchasing sheep that arc diseased is to 
buy from breeders of repute, breeders who have made them- 
selves famous by their skill as breeders and feeders, and 
their hone.^ty and integrity. The novice should not buy 
culls at any price; they are not cheap at any figure. Good 
old matronly ewes should not be classed as culls, unless thej' 
are toothless. These are usually found to be good milkers 
and mothers, and of course profitable lamb raisers. It 
should be remembered that good 'shepherds do not usually 
keep ewes until old unless thej- have some special qualities 
to recommind them. It is often better for the novice to 
start with such as these than to start with younger ewes. 
Good old ewes will take care of their Iambs themselves, 
while young ewes sometimes cause no end of trouble, even 
to the experienced shepherd, by refusing to acknowledge 
their lambs. Of course where the intending purchaser 



64 Fitting Sheep 



is an experienced practical shepherd young ewes are to be 
preferred for various reasons. 

In purchasing a pedigreed ram or in fact any class of 
sheep, individual merit should be studied first and pedigree 
after. It should be understood that while pedigree is of the 
utmost value, all pedigreed sheep are not animals of a high 
order of merit. It is not advisable that the inexperienced 
start out with a large flock. A small flock of sheep will, in 
a great degree, take care of themselves, but where large 
flocks are considered, unlimited skill and care must be be- 
stowed on them or deterioration and perhaps disease will 
soon be in evidence. A small flock of from twenty to thirty 
head will give the novice no end of pleasure and as his 
flock increases in size so will he gain in experience and 
knowledge along the line of shepherding. In selecting 
breeding ewes it is important that their udders or bags 
be perfect. Although a ewe with a broken bag shows un- 
mistakable evidence of being an extraordinary milker she 
has had her day, for through the carelessness of the shep- 
herd, either at lambing time or the weaning period she has 
been ruined and "should now be cast aside as a breeder, as 
should also a ewe with one-half of the udder hard and 
fleshy. 

A ewe extra thick and masculine in neck usually proves a 
poor breeder and an inferior milker. Don't select the 
thick fat ewes out of a flock for breeders; they have either 
failed to breed, or to have raised a lamb. A heavy milking 
ewe is rarely fat when suckling a lamb. Don't allow the 
idea of purchasing show ewes for breeding purpose to enter 
your head, or the chances are you will meet with disap- 
pointment. Don't be advised to purchase show sheep of 



FOR Show King and Markkt. 65 



any kind unless you have some idea of what it is to man- 
age such stock. Of course there is nothing to bar you 
from ultimately handling even the most valuable and costly 
flocks with every success when you have made the business 
a study. There is nothing so far as the writer is aware to 
hinder any one from being an accomplished shepherd if he 
is willing to devote his time faithfully to the study of both 
the theoretical and practical part of sheep husbandry. 

The Fleece of Breeding Stock. 

The quality of the tlecce of the mutton breeds of sheep, 
although of a secondary consideration as compared with 
the case of the fine wool breeds, must not be entirely lost 
sight of, for no matter how perfect and symmetrical the 
general conformation of the body may be the absence of 
a tolerably fine ciuality of fleece, and covering, relegates 
the animal to a second class place. Although among the 
Down breeds, the animal carrying a somewhat coarse fleece 
usually carries a fleece of longer staple than the one carrying 
the fine fleece, and is often the heaviest shearer, a fine com- 
pact fleece is usually preferred, and the sheep carrying the 
same is usually considered the most valuable property. 

As in the case of show sheep, the fleeces of stock Mieep, 
both rams and ewes, should be carefully and critically ex- 
amined and any showing serious defects, such as black 
.'^pots. kemp. or coarse wool along the breech should be 
immediately discarded as breeders, as bad points and de- 
fects will most assuredly be transmitted to the offspring with 
far more readiness than will the good ones; therefore too 



66 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

much care cannot be exercised in this regard when se- 
lecting suitable specimens for the bi-eeding flock. 

If we err in the selection of our foundation flock we can- 
not expect other than mistakes to crop out right along 
the line of our career as shepherds. 

Mating. 

To mate a ram extra strong in points to ewes that are 
deficient in these particular points, as recommended by some 
writers, appears to me as cjueer reasoning. Two wrongs 
can never make one right. A ram that is extra strong in 
any one point must be weak in many others, or in other 
words, is not a smooth, symmetrical animal. I have al- 
Vv'ays considered that a ram should be as smooth and sym- 
metrical as possible, and that by breeding from this type 
for a few years his type and conformation will ultimately 
and most assuredly be impressed on the whole flock. 
whereas if one year we select a ram strong in one particular 
point and another year select one strong in another par- 
ticular point, we will be ever changing our type, to say 
nothing of being obliged to keep a large flock of rams on 
hand to meet the different requirements and defects of the 
numerous individuals of the ewe flock. By sticking to a 
smooth, symmetrical type of ram we are bound to accom- 
plish something of a desirable nature, but by using rams 
extra strong in any one particular point, it is hard to clearly 
see what good can be gained. The shepherd's motto 
should be: "Use onh' symmetrical rams." 

In=Breeding. 

Some one has said that "in-breeding is playing with 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 69 

>liarp-C(.lgccl tools." Uiuiucstionaljly it is. and tlinsc not 
being wcU-vcrsfd in their use are certainly very liable to 
come to grief and disaster in handling them. No doubt in- 
breeding has done much toward fixing the type of various 
animals so firmly as to warrant their coming under the 
name of pure-bred. But those of us who are not well versed 
in the laws of breeding had better leave such work to abler 
hands. This is a science of which but very few of even 
our very best shepherds or flockmasters can lay claim to 
know much about. Therefore in-breeding cannot be rec- 
ommended with any degree of safety, especially to the 
young shepherd. It is always advisable to introduce new 
blood into the flock each year. This is one sure and easy 
way of sustaining vigor and constitution. 

Treatment of the Ram When in Service. 

Rams intended to do service in the breeding flock should 
receive the most liberal treatment both as regard feed and 
exercise. My experience has taught me that w'here they 
have the run of a clover or rape patch during the night, 
and are housed during the day, they do excellent service. 
A ram will eat two quarts of oats a day with his usual 
ration of rape, peas, oats, or whatever he may be getting 
in the way of green stuft', without the least injury to his 
constitution during the service season. How many ewes 
a. ram will serve in a single season without injury to his 
constitution is a somewhat mooted question. There is no 
doubt but what a ram if allowed the opportunity will serve 
a greater number of ewes than is good for his constitution, 
and what should ordinarily be allowed him. Where a ram 



70 Fitting Sheep 



is "stood" he should serve 60 ewes without showing the 
least sign of fatigue or injury. This is the number I should 
advise where the ram is full of vigor; and of course we 
should use none other. If the ram is well taken care of 
during the day no harm is liable to follow if he be turned in 
with the flock during the night after being "ruddled" with 
a mixture of lamp-black and oil, or some other coloring 
substance. When "ruddling" a ram the shepherd should 
be particular to observe that the coloring matter is w^ell 
rubbed on the breast and between the fore legs so that it 
will be clearly imprinted on the ewe's rump after being 
served, a proof that the ram has satisfactorily performed 
the duties expected of him. 

The Teaser. 

Many flockmasters to save wear and tear of the consti- 
tution of a very \aluable stud ram employ what is known 
as a "teaser" to search for and point out the ewes that are 
in heat, thereby saving the vigor, strength and constitu- 
tion of the stud ram. Any ewes that he may point out 
as being in heat are immediately taken to the pen and 
served by the stud ram. A wether is often found to do this 
work satisfactorily; where a ram is used an apron should 
be so placed upon him as to prevent copulation. The best 
way to make an apron is to get an old sack, cut three 
holes in it, one for the head, and two smaller ones for the 
forelegs to go through. The remaining portion of the 
sack is then brought back under the belly of the animal and 
securely fastened around the body a few inches back of the 
penis. It is important that the "teaser" be examined each 



FOR Show Ring and Makki i. 



d;iy to ^L'f tlial tlu' pniis and Mirrouiulini;s dn mii hL-ciiiiK- 
I'dul from tlif (.'lTccl> of the aninial's own urine. 

The Sheep Barn. 

The sheei) barn need not be a costly structure provided 
it be comfortable. In building a barn, however, il is well to 
bear in mind that ample room be allowed overhead for the 
accomnKHlation. oi a suitable (piantity of hay for the use 
(.if the sheep during winter. There shtndd also be space 
enough left in one corner of the building for a small room 
or oftice for the use of the shepherd in which he may 
sleep, eat and cook during the busy time of the lambing 
season. It is well alst) to make arrangements that the 
watering troughs and other useful devices be placed inside 
the barn, that i.-. in those parts of the country where the 
winters are severe. The watering devices should be on the 
automatic plan; good serviceable ones can be purchased 
at a nominal ligure. Hay racks should be so made and 
arranged that they may be used as divisions in the barn. 
It is important that ample means of ventilation be pro- 
vided. 

For the benefit of those of my readers who are desirous 
of building a really fine up-to-dste sheep barn I am allowed, 
by permission of the i)ublishers of Wool Markets and Sheep, 
of Chicago, to reproduce the illustrations and descriptions 
of the magnificent sheep barn of Mr. Oakleigh Thorne, of 
Thorne Farm. Dutciicss county, N. V. Mr. Thorne de- 
scribes his sheep barn in the following words: 

"After discussing many plans for a model sheeji barn I 
ticcided that a side-hill barn 200x^0 feet with an L on the 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 7:^ 



snutluvost cdiiur 28x42 root, and an cxlonsimi ,30x.^o feet on 
tlic nmnli ;^ide. would meet aU rcquircnu-nls. The hasc- 
iiicnt is extended for breeding ewes, the southwest exten- 
sion for 4the ranis' and shepherd's room, and also to break 
llie northwest winds from the yards and the extension on 
tlie nortli side for a root celhir in the basement and grain 
room overhead. Tlie building is constructed on the canti- 
lever principle, thoroughly braced and bolted with seven- 
cighths-inch iron bolts. The advantages of this construc- 
tion are, that no posts are required above basement, which 
leaves a practically clear mow the entire length of the 
building. Strength and cheapness are also claimed, but 
I frankly admit that the latter did not receive much consid- 
eration. The foundation walls are 2 feet 3 inches thick 
and 14 feet high '"above ground," built of faced stone laid 
in cement, plastered on the outside with a mixture of pitch 
and tar. The lumber used is all of first quality of the fol- 
lowing dimensions: Sills, girts, posts, levers and main 
rafters, 8x12 inches: flooring, 2x5 matched; roof seal tight 
and shingled with California red cedar shingles. The base 
ment is 14 feet high, and as the photograph of the interior 
shows, I have an abundance of windows. The lower panes 
of glass, which are stationary, are 30x15; the upper glass is 
I5.\I5, set in sash and operated by the Hitching system of 
ventilation which is in common use in greenhouses. It is 
operated by one crank in the center of the building. By 
this means I get equal ventilation and save time by opening 
and shutting all the windows from one central point and by 
one movement. The doors are J'jxio feet, hung by a steel 
band running over a pulley and run up and down. As the 
doors weigh but five pounds more than the weights, they 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 



run very easily aiul so far work most satisfactorily. Tlie slat 
<1oors whicli are shown (slnit) in tlic pliotograpli, arc hung 
in tlic same way just inside of main door. I left nine indies 
between tlie center braces, running an iron bar through. 
which can be easily pulled out. the idea being to take it out 
when the feed is being put in and the ewes and lambs are 
out in the yards, to allow the lambs the opportunity of ha\- 
ing the first pick at the food. The doorways are rounded 
with narrow matched stuff so that the ewes cannot get 
jamnud running in or out. The posts in basement are 
round. 14 inches in diameter. The corners of all racks are 
planed off. and in fact there is not a sharp corner in the 
basement where a ewe can rub her fleece loose. I have 
divided the space in five pens. The silo in northwest corner 
is 10x12x30. thoroughly braced and secured. Each pen 
has access to water and a yard. The L is divided into a 
shepherd's room and five pens in which I keep the stock 
rams. The room is perfectly plain and at all times con- 
tains a warm stove, Jersey milk (without tubercular bacilli), 
and a wee drop of gin — which ingredients, if properly mixed 
and applied, make tlie best combination for a weak lamb 
<:)r a cold shepherd that I know of. My buildings (twenty- 
seven in number) and stock are always subject to inspec- 
tion." 

In the Shepherd's Room. 

In every well-appointed sheep barn there should be a 
room set apart for the exclusive use of the shepherd. In 
it should be found a comfortable bed. bedding, and an oil 
stove with which he may cook, not only his own rations but 




^ 

^ i^Ol/y 03JJ 



J1V^\ 



(V 


" 




Q» 


lU 






Cfcr 








s 

^ 
§ 




•^ 


"^ 


*^ 




* 


^ 


5 




^ 


^ 


^ 




so-rr. 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 77 

any little article of nourishment that the sick ewe or her 
offspring may be in need of at any time during tiic lambing 
season. There should be, also, a medicine chest in this 
room in which should be kept the following articles: Two 
syringes, one for syringing out wounds, etc., the other to 
be used in giving injections. Shears must not be forgot- 
ten; then knives, a probang, trocar, needles, splints, — made 
from bamboo. — and cardboard to be used in some cases in 
the placeof splints made of bamboo. Silk thread, cotton-wool 
and bandages must also be provided. A drenching bottle must 
be included in this list. Then drugs must not be forgotten. 
Xeither can we afford to forget flaxseed, wherewith to make 
that nourishing and soothing article, flaxseed tea. Al- 
though there are a large number of drugs that may be used 
by the skilled veterinarian with beneficial results in the 
riock, I shall include none but what the average shepherd 
is familiar with and which I know from actual experience' 
are to be recommended: 

Carbolic Acid. — A solution of carbolic acid in proportion 
of 60 to I is very valuable used as an injection for a ewe 
that has been recently relieved of a dead lamb. This solu- 
tion is also very useful as a disinfectant, and for washing 
the hands after handling animals that may be suffering 
from a disease of a contagious nature. 

Alum. — On account of its astringent properties is very 
useful in diarrhea; applied externally is very useful in pre- 
venting excessive bleeding from cuts or wounds. 

Butter of Antimony. — .A. caustic when mixed with other 
agents is of great service in treating footrot. 

Bluestone. — A caustic used in the preparation of footrot 
:"emedies. and useful in the treatment of navel ill in lambs. 



"78 Fitting Sheep 



Borax. — Very useful as an antiseptic and very beneficial 
in washing lambs' mouths that may be suffering from 
-aptha. 

Castor Oil. — Very useful in cases of constipation and 
•diarrhea. 

Carbonate of Ammonia. — A valuable stimulant of great 
service in cases where ewes have a "hard time" in lambing. 

Ginger. — Ginger has many very valuable medicinal prop- 
erties, being a stimulant, stomachic, and carminative. If 
given in connection with purgatives the griping pains usu- 
-ally caused by these will be lessened. 

Laudanum. — This is a great alleviator of pain in stomach 
troubles, and in cases of painful or difficult parturition it is 
■of the greatest service. 

Tar. — Useful as an antiseptic, diuretic, stimulant, para- 
siticide and expectorant. When rubbed on the noses of 
sheep suffering from "snots" its beneficial effects are at 
•<)nce apparent. It is also useful in preventing the gad fly 
from gaining admission to the sheep's nostrils. 

Hyposulphite of Soda. — Very useful in cases of bloat. 

Rosin. — This is a very useful astringent; when lambs are 
found to be scouring badly after being put on rape, about 
lialf an ounce of this per head per da}' for three successive 
days will usually bring about the most pleasing results. Where 
a ram is not able to urinate freely rosin will be found to 
help him considerably. 

Sweet Spirits of Nitre. — Given in 4-dram doses is a very 
valuable diuretic. It is advisable that the animal be kept 
moderately warm after receiving a dose of this drug. 

Nitric Acid. — Nitric acid is a caustic used in the treat- 
ment of footrot, etc. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 79 



Male Shield Fcrii. — One of the greatest remedies known 
l(jr the removal of tapeworm from sheep. The dose is one 
dram of the li(iuid extract for an adult sheep. 

Linseed Oil. — Is a safe and useful laxative. Ten ounces 
is a dose for an adult sheep. 

Epsom Salts. — .\ valuable jmrgative. Dose for an adult 
>hcep, four ounces. 

Charcoal. — Useful in checking fermentation and bloat. 

Chalk. — Will correct acidity of the stomach. 

Whisky. — Whisky is very useful as a stimulant to both 
dam and ewe, and some say for the shepherd, too. 

Ventilation. 

The ventilation of the sheep barn is a very important 
matter, and one that should receive the most serious and 
careful consideration by the shepherd. It is absolutely nec- 
essary that he fully understands and appreciates the differ- 
ence between necessary ventilation and ruinous draughts. 
While the former means health, vigor, and prosperity, the 
latter most assuredly mean sickness, loss, and disaster. No 
animal enjoys the cold, bracing, and invigorating elements 
of our North American winters, and reveals the true evi- 
dence of its health-giving influence more than our modern 
mtitton sheep, and no animal sufTers more from the deadly 
draughts than they do. Draughts are especially injurious 
to young lambs and are (piite often the direct cause of 
rheumatism, joint-ill, and many other ills which would 
scarcely ever be in evidence did the shepherd but under- 
>tand the true cause of these troubles; therefore the im- 
portance of fixing the doors, windows, and ventilators in- 



80 Fitting Sheep 



such a way as to make it easy for the shepherd t© "temper 
the winds for the benefit of his lambs." 

How Often Should the Sheep Barn be Cleaned. 

This is a question often asked but rarely satisfactorily 
iinswered. However often it may be cleaned it is advisa- 
ble and important that this work be attended to just pre- 
vious to the commencement of the lambing season, and 
more than this, it is advisable to rush the work through at 
as lively a rate as possible when once begun as the ewes 
must necessarily suffer more or less from the unpleasant 
odors arising from the manure while such work is in opera- 
tion. After the manure has been removed it is a good plan 
to scatter some air-slaked lime over the floor. This makes 
a good disinfectant, and a good deodorizer. Many flock- 
masters do not remove the manure from their, sheep barns 
oftener than once a year. While this method may work 
satisfactorily in the case of very small flocks, no one set- 
ting any value on a really good stud flock would be liable 
to follow this plan. Just as soon as the flock goes to pas- 
lure the barn should be thoroughly cleaned out, or the 
manure will depreciate in value from the escape of am- 
monia from it. 

The importance of Abundant Bedding. 

Where sheep are allowed to wallow around in the mud 
the shepherd must expect trouble from foot-scald, espe- 
cially where an excessive quantity of the animals' own ex- 
crement is mixed with the mud. Foot-scald is usually the 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market 8$ 

forerunner rf fdotrot. It is safe to say tliat many a good 
Hock has been ruined throuijli tlie neglect of the slieplierd 
to provide the necessary bedding for it. Footrot is a 
wonderfully easy disease to contract. l)ut a terribly hard 
one to get free from when once it has secured a foothold on 
the farm. Perhaps it would not be out of place to mention 
here the necessity of removing the placenta, or cleaning, 
of the ewes, especially those from ewes that have aborted. 
Of course if anj- be allowed to remain in the barn ob- 
noxious odors are bound sooner or later to be the result, 
which, to say the least, is decidedly wrong from a sanitary 
point of view, not to make mention of its liability of caus- 
ing serious trouble, such as abortion, etc., in the flock." 
That foul odors, from whatever cause arising, are injurious, 
and detrimental to the general health of sheep no reason- 
able person will dispute; hence the importance of cleanly- 
kept and well-bedded barns and yards. 

The Value of a Straw Stack. 

.A. straw stack in the sheep yards adjoining the sheep barn- 
is a very desirable thing to have, notwithstanding some lit- 
tle disadvantages it may have. The one most serious ob- 
jection to having it placed in the sheep yards is that the 
wool on the neck of the sheep is liable to become filled 
with dust and chaff while they are searching for the best 
elements of which it consists. But the advantages gained 
by the saving of hay, etc., oflfsets all injury done to the 
fleece by this. Sheep enjoy picking the dust and finer por- 
tions of straw from the stack, especially if it be an oat 
straw stack. Ewes and lambs delight in lying alongside- 



64 Fitting Sheep 

of it, and they will be found there more often than in the 
barn, excepting it be wiien the weather is very cold and 
severe. 

The Imporftnce of Keeping: Sheep of Different 
Ages Separated. 

Sheep of different ages and dififerent classes should be 
kept separated. Neither yearlings nor lambs should be kept 
together, as each require entirely different treatment. 
Breeding ewes should be kept entirely by themselves, es- 
pecially when heav3' with lamb. To allow a lot of rams to 
run with the breeding flock at any time is, to say the least, 
violating the rules of good shepherding. Again, the ra- 
tions of the breeding ewe are not of the nature that is 
■desirable for the proper development of the growing stud 
/am, neither are the rations that the yearlings should be 
receiving the ideal ones for the lambs; therefore the im- 
portance of keeping sheep of various ages and classes sep- 
arated must be readily apparent. If our shepherds w-ould 
only feed their young stock, especially the ram lambs and 
yearling rams, a little heavier and their breeding ewes a 
little lighter, the constitution and value of their stock would 
be greatly enhanced. 

Shepherd's Marking Ink. 

Many shepherds having charge of thoroughbred, or more 
^)roperly, pure-blooded sheep, mark their sheep as a means 
of identification with the initials of the owner of the flock. 
Anyone handy with carpentering tools or even a common 
jackknife can easily cut letters out of a block of wood that 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



8.> 



Avill I'ully answer llu- puipusi.' of tlic >lKplRrd in markiui? It's 
sliecp. Tar is sonictinu's used in marking sheep, but it is 
not the thing to use. I'ropcr marking ink Ix'ing far prefcr- 
iible, as it does not in an\ \va\' injure the wool. In mark- 
ing a sheep place the mark on its back or rump so that it 
can f;e easily seen, no matter in what position the animal 
is standing. 

Hurdles. 

A few dollars invested in a hundred or so of hurdles is 
one of the most profitable investments a Mockmaster can 




He RULE. No. 1. 



make, especially where intensive farming is considered. By 
the use of these the flock is more easily and profitably man- 
liged. The waste in the feeding off of soiling and forage 
crops is reduced to a minimum and each grade of sheep 
can be kept apart and thereby given a better opportunity to 
thrive, especially the younger members of the flock, than 



86 



Fitting Sheep 



is the case where sheep of all ages, sorts, and conditions are 
allowed to roam together. 

During the shearing and dipping season the value of hur- 
dles will be fully appreciated. They can be used in winter 
for building yards around the sheep barn and for many other 
purposes. 




Hurdle. No. 2. 



I herewith give illustrations of two different styles of hur- 
dles. No. I is one which is easily set, but is somewhat 
cumbersome to handle. In length it should be made from 
eight to twelve feet long, of some light, durable material. 

No. 2 is also easily and quickly made by anyone having 
a fair knowledge of the use of carpenters' tools. A careful 
study of Fig. 2 will, I think, give my readers a clear idea 
of how this hurdle is made. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



Lambing Pens. 

I am not in lavor of pcrmanoni lambing pens, for various 
leasons. among llicm being the faet tiiat a ewe taken from 
the riock and phiced in a strange pen away from where slie 
can get a view of her companions is apt to worry and fret, 
a fact which cannot be said to conduce to successful yean- 
ing. I have found portable pens, made in the following 
manner, to give very satisfactory results: Take four 2x2 
posts about y/2 feet long, and 12 boards about 3J/ feet 
long, 6 inches wide and 44 of an inch in thickness. These 
when nailed togetlier should form a handy pen 3JX feet 
square, which, when a ewe shows unmistakable symptoms 
of yeaning, can be placed over her and molestation from 
other members of the flock be prevented, although at the 
same time she is not debarred from having a full view of 
lier companions. Where large or small sheep are con- 
sidered <jf course the dimensions of the pen can be fixed to 
suit the circumstance of the individual case. The shepherd 
should use judgment and care that the boards are fixed 
close enough together to prevent the lambs from creeping 
through between them and wandering away from the dam. 

As soon as the yeaning season is over these portable pens 
can be knocked down and stored away for use another 
season. 

The Care of Pregnant Ewes. 

The result of the lamb crop depends largely on the 
iimount of care the ewes receive. The good shepherd will 
see that his ewes are properly sorted, or graded, so that 
the young and robust aniinals do not crowd out the older 



Fitting Sheep 



and less robust members of the flock from the feed troughs, 
hay-racks, etc. He will also see that the doorways are 
wide enough for the ewes to get through without their be- 
coming wedged and doing themselves serious injury when 
rushing through to get their grain ration. The ewe 
should be kept quiet and unmolested during lambin'g. She 
should be provided with quiet and pleasant surroundings. 
She should not be moved out of the sight of the flock, or 
she is liable to worry considerably previous to and until 
she has been delivered of, and has the company of her 
offspring. Then, again, the shepherd should pay particular 
attention that his ewes are kept free from molestation by 
strange dogs. He will feed them rations of a cooling- 
nature in preference to those of a heating one, as he well 
knows that abortion is often resultant of injudicious feed- 
ing of such a ration. Ewes, when heavy in lamb, must 
be handled very carefully and be kept from all undue ex- 
citement, or a successful lambing cannot be expected. They 
should not be fed sour or mouldy ensilage, or abortion 
will most assuredly be brought about. Pure water must 
be abundantly supplied, and salt must not be forgotten if a 
good lambing season is looked for. If it becomes abso- 
lutely necessary to "throw" or "turn up" a ewe for the 
purpose of dressing her feet, etc., great care should be 
observed in doing so, or she may be so badly injured as to 
bring forth a dead offspring, her year's usefulness thereby 
being thrown away, as it were. 

It is not feed, altogether, that counts toward a successful 
lamb crop, but care, and faithful attention to little details, 
such as the above mentioned. Another important matter 
I should have mentioned before closing this subject is. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 89 



tlic importance of seeing; thai the yards and surroundings 
r.re such as to prevent the slipi)ing and sliding of the ewes, 
as an al)ortion is often tracea]jle to this cause. 

The Importance of Exercise for Breeding Ewes. 

Without a reasonable amount of exercise no ewe can be 
expected to bring forth a healthy, vigorous offspring. Where 
•due attention is not given to this important matter we 
may look for our lambs to come small, puny, and perhaps 
goitrcd. Ewes having insutticient exercise during preg- 
nancy usually experience a very trying time when yeaning, 
iind the loss of many a valuable ewe may be traced to this 
cause. To keep ewes penned up in small, or narrow pens 
during Winter and stufiting them with grain is entirely wrong 
— it is nothing short of killing them with kindness. Ewes 
should be allowed plenty of exercise; they should be al- 
lowed the range of a large field in the day time, rather than 
be compelled to remain prisoners within the narrow limits 
•of the average yard allowed them by many shepherds. They 
should, to a certain extent, be made to rustle for a living, 
as exercise not only tends to increase the quality of the 
lamb crop. Init likewise the size. 

Change of Pasture. 

\\ ithout frequent change of pasture sheep cannot be ex- 
pected to thrive at their best. True, they will keep alive, 
and may appear tolerably thrifty, but sheep put into a 
pasture field in the Spring and compelled to stay there 
until Fall will never attain the size they would have, had 
they had frequent change of pasture. 



90 Fitting Sheep 



Sheep love a change of pasture even if, as far as the 
pasture is concerned, the change is from better to worse, 
and vice versa. This is amply proven by the fact that 
sheep that may be lying in a luxuriant piece of pasture, with 
every evidence of their appetites being appeased, and their 
stomachs comparatively full will, upon being moved to- 
another pasture, no matter how poor, immediately com- 
mence to eat as if exceedingly hungry. Then, again, frequent 
change of pasture takes the sheep away from where they are 
bound to inhale odors from their own excrement in a very 
strong degree. Frequent change of pasture allows of the pas- 
lures becoming purified to a great degree. Where sheep are 
pastured almost continually in one field the land becomes 
what the English shepherd calls "sheep sick," i. e., the land 
smells "sheepy;" the sheep tire of the pasture and do not 
thrive, but on the other hand seem to get smaller, year 
by year, appear puny, sickly, and even become diseased. 
This is a very important matter for consideration and one 
which the young shepherd should give due attention to, if 
he is in hopes of ever reaching the goal of success as a 
shepherd. 

Feeding the Breeding Ewes. 

The shepherd should see that his breeding ewes get a 
light grain ration just as soon as they show the least signs 
of losing flesh, which would be about, or not later than 
Nov. 15th, unless the fall be very mild and pastures abun- 
dant. While they should not be kept fat they should be 
"kept coming" right along, and be gaining in flesh slowly 
rather than be allowed to run down. Oats and bran, mixed,. 



FOR Show Ring and Markkt. 91 

make the best grain ration for breeding ewes; a little oil 
meal added makes a better ration perhaps, especially toward 
lambing time. Corn is not a desirable ration for ewes, 
although, perhaps, better than nothing at all in the shape 
of supplementary food. One-half a pound of grain will be 
found fully sufficient for a breeding ewe until she has 
lambed, where good fodder, etc., is plentifully provided. 

A Cheap and Healthful Ration for Breeding Ewes. 

The most economical and satisfactory ration I have ever yet 
fed to a breeding flock of ewes was composed of cut clover hay 
and cut oat-straw, equal parts, with which was mixed pulped 
turnips, bran and bruised oats. In mixing this it was my 
aim that each ewe should get, with all the cut hay and oat- 
straw she could eat, about five pounds of turnips and one- 
half pound of bran and bruised oats per day. This ration 
was fed. in troughs made especially for the feeding of such 
rations. They were made ten feet in length, one foot in 
width and seven inches in depth, and stood on small blocks. 

The ewes did not get fat on this ration but kept in the finest 
possible breeding condition, they being playful, agile, strong 
and covered with a beautifully lustrous fleece. The crop of 
lambs from these ewes was a phenomenal one. They were 
large, strong and scarcely a feeble one among the whole 
bunch. The ewes milked heavily and kept in fine condition 
until they went to pasture. I should have mentioned that 
just about when lambing commenced, having run short of 
turnips, I commenced to feed lightly on mangels and added 
also a small daily allowance of oil-cake to the ration. 

Where the feeding of such a ration as the above is con- 



92 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

sidered it is, of course, important that the mixing room 
be adjoining the sheep barn, in fact, the main door of the 
root cellar should open directly into the sheep barn. This 
prevents any danger of the pulped roots becoming frozen. 
Frozen roots are, of course, decidedly injurious to breed- 
ing ewes, or, in fact, any class of stock. It is advisable 
to mix enough for a full day's ration at a time, care being 
taken that the pile is not allowed to heat; this being pre- 
vented by seeing that the pile be not over a foot or eighteen 
inches in height. If the weather be very cold it should be 
covered with old blankets, sacks or something that will pre- 
vent freezing. 

Regularity in Feeding. 

I have always considered that sheep thrive better on poor 
rations regularly fed than on better rations when fed irregu- 
larly. Regularity in feeding is one of the most valuable 
secrets possessed by the shepherd. Sheep, although not 
generally thought to be so intelligent as many other species 
of our domestic animals, are nevertheless very sensitive to 
every minute that passes after the usual feeding hour has 
arrived. Just as soon as that hour comes they announce 
its arrival by restlessness and continual bleating. Bleating 
means wear and tear of the sheep's anatomy, therefore it 
must be clear that the more regular we are in administering 
to their wants the less wear and tear there is on their 
system, and the less food it takes to keep them in condi- 
tion. 

Were our prominent exhibitors irregular in their methods 
of feeding they could never bring out their exhibits in the 



-^ 



,r 





Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 95 



sliape tlioy ilu. Ii would be simply an iUKt impossibility 
lor them to do so. 

When Should Lambs Come. 

When I iia\e plenty of roots the earlier my lambs come 
the better it suits mc. Whether intended tor the early 
markets or lor stud purposes, I have found the early lamb 
the most profitable and satisfactory, provided I have plenty 
of succulent rations, such as common turnips, rutabagas, 
mangels, etc.; but where these are not at command, I prefer 
my lambs to come not earlier than the first of April. Lambs 
born so that when they take their first lessons at eating 
they may do so in the pasture fields usually grow- away so 
fast from those ha\ing loarned to eat thy rations in the 
sheep barn that, ultimately, they prove to be the most profit- 
able property; but where roots have been plentiful no lamb 
has ever given me the ])leasure. profit, and consccpiently the 
satisfaction, that the early lamb has. 

Another consideration as regards the time when our lambs 
should come is, whether or not we have suitable barn ac- 
commodation for the comfort of the little weaklings, when 
the mercury is away below zero. If we have not comfort- 
ably-prepared quarters for their benefit it is better to have 
our lambs come when danger of exceedingly cold weather 
is past. 

The First Symptoms of Yeaning. 

The first common symptoms of a ewe about to yean is- 
restlessness, .\ drop on either side of the backbone, back 
of the pin bones, which gives the tail the a])pearance of 



•yo Fitting Sheep 



being set on very high, is next noticeable. A lowering of 
the belly, and a somewhat distracted look next follows 
and adds to the many symptoms. After a while a slight, 
clear discharge is noticed coming from the vulva, which 
increases in quantity until the water bladders or sacs make 
their appearance. The ewe now usually has severe pains 
and commences to strain violently. She will lay down and 
get up again repeatedly and paw the ground and make a 
series of circular movements of the body as if seeking a suit- 
able place for depositing her offspring. She appears the 
very picture of misery. When the final "pains" of parturition 
•come, however, she will lay on the ground and strain very 
beavily until she has succeeded in bringing forth her ofif- 
spring. 

How to Manage a Ewe When Yeaning. 

Just so long as a ewe is doing well, according to the 
aisual course of Nature, it is best to let her alone, but where. 
In the case of her experiencing unnecessary trouble and diffi- 
culty in bringing forth her offspring, a little help is not out 
•of place, but rather beneficial to her. Now, in the case of 
■3. large-headed lamb, sometimes by a little timely help from 
the shepherd, the ewe may be spared a considerable amount 
•of pain and loss of strength. Where the lamb's head is 
.abnormally large the shepherd can materially assist the ewe 
by putting his opened hand on the skin of the vulva, that 
<;overs the skull of the lamb, and by gently pushing or 
pulling it rather back over the skull of the lamb, the 
head is practically free. The ewe, left to her own resources, 
may have had a very trying time, of a duration of an hour 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 97 

or more, to accomplisli what she has done with tlic help of 
the shepherd in loss than a minute. The head being free, 
the shepherd should now take the lamb's feet and pull them 
tut straight, one at a time; after this, by taking both feet 
in one hand and pulling the lamb in a circular direction 
toward the ewe's udder, it comes away easily. As soon 
as the lamb is born pull the hind legs through your hand 
and rub the mucus, that comes ofif the lamb's legs, on the 
nose and mouth of the ewe. This will arouse her maternal 
instinct and is sometimes the means of saving much trouble 
later on. Now put the lamb where the ewe can perform 
her maternal duties of cleaning it. I have always con- 
sidered that a ewe is very apt to forget her offspring by 
not seeing it sooner after it is born than they sometimes- 
do when left alone by themselves to lamb; especially is 
this true where a ewe has had a ditTicnlt time in lambing,, 
and being left so weak as to be unable to rise and take 
care of the lamb while the mucus was yet fresh and warm. 
It is always advisable that just the moment a lamb is born 
the shepherd or attendant should free the lamb's mouth 
from the thin mucous membrane that usually covers it. 
Sometimes the neglect of this is the cause of a serious loss 
of lambs, through their becoming sufiFocatcd. It is attention 
tc such little details as these that swells the percentage of 
the lamb crop, and surprises the careless shepherd when 
he hears of big lamb crops. 

Troubles in Yeaning. 

The most trying season in the life of a ewe is when 
j.bout to give birth to the offspring. This, of all others. 



Fitting Sheep 



is the most anxious time for the shepherd. If we have 
been thoughtful and careful in feeding and caring for our 
€wes, we maj' be said to have reduced danger of loss in 
the lambing season to a minimum. If, as too often is the 
case, our ewes have been fed too highly, there is much 
danger from parturient apoplexy, while on the other hand, 
poor feeding brings about weakness and its consequent 
dangers. Then again, feeding a ewe too highly just after she 
has lambed often causes the ewe to scour, and also brings 
trouble in the shape of garget; in either case the lamb 
suffers. The lamb, under normal conditions, comes fore 
feet first, next conies the head laying on the fore legs. 
Sometimes the head of the lamb will be found turned back 
against its side, then, again, sometimes it seems determined 
to come stern first, with the legs doubled back. In the 
former case the shepherd should push the lamb back into 
the womb and there straighten it out so that it may come 
in the natural way. In the latter case mentioned the lamb 
iihould likewise be pushed back into the womb, the hind legs 
straightened out, and the lamb then removed from the ewe, 
hind parts first. Of course, usually, this is the wrong way 
for a lamb to come, but in this case it is the easiest, and 
therefore the right way. 

One important matter to be studied by the shepherd, that 
tends much to a successful lambing season, is that in per- 
forming operations of this kind he throw sentiment to the 
winds and go to work in a business-like way and manner. 
If he considers that a ewe needs help let him help her 
light away, for "delays are dangerous." If a ewe appears 
faint and almost "played out," he should not forget that a 
stimulant may save her. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 99 

Luck is care. Tliat is liow I translate the word as ajiplicd 
to shepherding. Mucii of the success associated with the 
lamhing season is due to the care and attention the ewes 
receive during the month before and the first few days, or 
weeks, after lamhing. Flocks whose treatment during the 
last two months previous to lamhing has been such as to 
produce health and vigor of constitution, without producing 
an undue development of fat, almost invariably pass through 
the trying ordeal of yeaning with but few losses, to say 
nothing of the superiority of the lamb croji from same over 
that of ewes that have been improperly cared for. 

Ewes Disowning Their Own Lambs — How to 
Make Them Own Them. 

The maternal instinct is sometimes so strongly devel- 
oped in a ewe that she is little short of crazy after she 
is delivered of her offspring. She will run around, and in 
her excitement and frenzy will sometimes cause her newly- 
born ofifspring serious injury by treading on it, and after 
a while, strange to say, she will tttterly disown the little 
thing. Then, again, we sometimes find a ewe of a very 
contrary disposition that will aljsolutely refuse to own her 
lamb. Sometimes this is a clear case of mistaken identity, 
as in the case where she will take to a lamb not her own. 

Sometimes from lack of maternal instinct, caused in many 
cases from lack of milk, a ewe will take no notice whatever 
of any lamb. Where the maternal instinct is fully matured 
in a ewe little trouble is experienced in making her own 
cither her own or a strange lamb; but where this is minus 
no amount of humoring will get her to own her own or 



LofC. 



100 Fitting Sheep 



-any other. There are about eight different ways of making 
a ewe own a strange or disowned lamb, most of which I 
have tried with varied success. It is always desirable to 
liave a stanchion for the unruly members of the ewe flock 
"who refuse to own their offspring or a strange lamb. 

How to riake a Stanchion. 

The stanchion, a description of which I herewith give, 
is a crude affair but will answer all intents and purposes 
of the shepherd, although more elaborately built and finished 
ones, made on the same principles would be the thing where 
a well-fitted and well-appointed barn is considered. It is 
made in this way: Take four stakes and well-sharpen them; 
drive two of them into the ground in such a way that the 
ewe's neck will be caught and held firmly between them, 
of course observing care that she be able to move herself 
freely, but still be unable to extricate her head from be- 
tween them. This done, take the two remaining stakes and 
drive them firmly into the ground in such a manner that a 
stake will be on either side of her body at a point near the 
flank. This apparatus, although preventing her from twist- 
ing around and injuring the lamb, does not interfere with 
her lying down in comfort. It is well to tie the stakes at the 
top, care being used that they are not drawn so close 
together as to injure the ewe. A ewe fixed in a stanchion 
as above described cannot well prevent a sprightly lamb 
from gaining all necessary sustenance, as she is compara- 
tively helpless to do so. It takes but a few days for her 
to take a motherly view of the case, with the result that both 
ihe ewe and lamb are satisfied to "jog on through life's 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 101 

rough road" comfortably togctlicr. Tlio Scotch whisky 
remedy consists of rubbing a little whisky over the lamb's 
back and over the ewe's nose. Scotch shepherds claim this 
remedy to have its recommendations. The method adopted 
by many shepherds of cutting off the tail nf the lamb and 
rubbing the blood over the ewe's nose and on the back of 
the lamb is one used in some cases with marked success. 
Then the method of milking the ewe's milk onto the back 
of the little stranger has its recommendations. Where a 
■ewe has a dead lamb, and it is intended that she act as a 
foster-parent to some strange lamb, the dead lamb should 
be skinned while the animal heat is yet in its body and 
the skin placed on the one which it is desired she shou'd 
adopt. The ewe's nose should be scratched with a pin or 
something that will not cause her any serious amount of 
imnecessary pain. The small quantity of blood coming 
from the wound will, to use a slang phrase, "fool" her and 
thereby bring about an affection that is true and lasting be- 
tween the two. To be candid, I am averse to scratching 
the ewe's nose, but I have proved it to have merits to 
recommend it. 

In the case of a ewe having a fair average supply of both 
lacteal fluid and instinct, but for some unknown reason she 
■absolutely refuses to recognize her lamb — as is often the 
•case with young ewes — by putting the ewe and lamb in a 
Ismail enclosure together and suddenly introducing the shep- 
herd dog into their company a sudden reconciliation is often 
brought about. 

It should be remembered that some ewes are wholly de- 
void of maternal instinct and never will show any regard 
for a lamb. 



102 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

Where one method fails to bring about the desired friend- 
ship between a ewe and lamb, others should be tried. Some- 
times where one method fails another succeeds. 

How to Suckle a Lamb. 

A healthy, vigorous lamb loses no time in hunting the 
fountain of sustenance that Nature has provided for it. but 
for various reasons young lambs do not. sometimes, readily 
take to the teat, many even absolutely refusing it. This is. 
often taken for stubbornness on the part of the lamb by the 
young shepherd, when in reality it is nothing more or less 
than Nature dictating to it what is good, and what is not 
good for its constitution. The real trouble lies in the fact 
that its stomach is already full and to force it. under the 
existing circumstances, to take milk or any other food into 
this already over-loaded organ means death to it. Then, 
again, in the endeavor to force its mouth open the lips are 
liable to become so sore that the lamb fears to take the teat 
at all. When a strong, robvist, new-born lamb refuses ta 
suck it should be left alone for a while. Its appetite will 
soon come, and it will then willingly partake of the neces- 
sary nourishment. ^ 

When a lamb is anxious to take the teat but for some rea- 
son appears unable to take or hold it in its mouth, exam- 
ination will usually reveal the fact that the tongue is too 
thick, or in other words, it is deformed. I have never yet 
succeeded in saving a lamb thus afflicted, and further, I do 
not think the time spent in trying to save such as these 
is profitably spent any way. If, as often is the case, it is 
difficult to get a weakly lamb to take hold of the teat, the 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market 105 

shcplicrd shoultl t;ikc a small iiuaiitity (if cow's milk (whicli, 
if very rich, should be diluted with one-third water, to 
which is added a little sugar or molasses) into his own 
mouth and slowly scjuirt this into the lamb's mouth. Of 
course when the lamb jjets strong it should be given into 
the dam's charge. 

Reviving a Chilled Lamb. 

The best of shepherds, where he has to attend to a large 
flock single-handed, is liable to have a chilletl lamb to fuss 
with once in a while. A shepherd, like any other human 
being, cannot work day and night, only for a limited period. 
In spite of everything he may do the small, weak lamb will 
put in its appearance, and generally on a very cold day or 
night, or when the shepherd is taking a much needed rest. 
the consequence being that it becomes chilled and a burden 
to the shepherd. With all the care it receives, it will hover 
between life and death for several days, and even then 
sometimes play out. Of course the longer a lamb stays 
without being attended to after becoming chilled the more 
trouble it is to resuscitate it. A lamb that has been chilled 
is very susceptible to constipation, especially after being 
revived by the warm bath treatment. The plan that has in- 
variably given me the most satisfaction has been to wrap 
the patient in warm flannel, place it near the stove and give 
it a little warm milk, into which has been put a small quan- 
tity of gin. If at any time after being revived it should 
iippcar dull, sleepy, and refuses to partake of nourishment, 
it may be safe to say that it is suffering from constipation. 
This trouble is treated upon in another chapter. 



106 Fitting Sheep 



Wool to be Clipped from the Ewe's Flanks and Udder. 

For the benefit of the lamb it is sometimes found beneficial 
and even necessary to remove the wool from the flanks 
and udder of some ewes before allowing it to take the teat, 
as sometimes its eyes become seriously damaged by the 
wool getting into them. Then by getting into its mouth it 
is liable to cause it to refuse the teat. Just at what time 
the wool should be cut off is a matter on which shepherds 
differ, many claiming, and with good cause, that it should, 
not be done when the ewes are in an advanced stage of 
pregnancy. I have always found this work most easily 
and satisfactorily accomplished immediately after the ewe 
has been delivered of her oft'spring. but not yet having re- 
covered strength sufliciently to object to the operation. 
Care must be exercised that the udder is not cut while the 
operation is being performed, or serious injury may result. 

How to Catch a Sheep. 

A sheep should never be caught by its wool. This method 
not only causes the animal unnecessary pain, but in the case 
of fat sheep, that are to be killed, it does much harm to 
the joint of mutton that lies underneath where the wool was 
pulled. It causes a dark bruise just in the same manner 
as our bodies become discolored from being bruised. 

The proper way to catch a sheep is to take it either by 
the hind leg just above the gambrel joint, or by putting the 
hand underneath its jaw or neck. In using a crock it is 
important that the sheep are not caught below the gambrel 
joint, as injury to the leg is liable to result from this. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 107 

Raising a Cosset. 

It is qucstional)lf whcllur the raisiiij^ of cosset lambs is 
a profitable undertaking or not. That they are a consider- 
able responsibility on one's hands those who have attempted 
to raise them can verify. Unless they are fed very often 
and very carefully they do not do nearly as well as when 
raised in Nature's own way. In the case of grade lambs 
the profit from raising a cosset is little — perhaps nothing; 
but in the case of pedigreed sheep, if we can raise a good 
specimen, it is no doubt a profitable undertaking. 

The greatest danger to be averted in the raising of a pet 
or cosset lamb is the over-feeding of same. Little and often 
is the true secret in feeding a cosset where success in raising 
it is considered. Very rich milk is liable to cause bowel 
trouble with the youngster the first week or so of its life, 
unless it be reduced in strength to a suitable degree. Some 
cow's milk should be reduced at least twenty-five per cent 
before being fed to a lamb under ten days old, but as the 
lamb gets older, so in proportion the milk may be fed 
stronger. 

It is in the counties of Somerset and Dorset in England 
where cosset lambs are raised to perfection. There many 
dairymen make it a rule to raise a score or so of Dorset 
lambs each Winter. These they obtain from shepherds 
whose ewes sometimes give more lambs than they can profit- 
ably take care of. For these the shepherd usually gets a 
shilling — twenty-five cents — or more a head. These lambs 
are usually cared for by the dairymen's wives or the dairy- 
maidens, and that they are well taken care of their broad 
backs, plump bodies and beautiful white fleeces fully attest. 



108 Fitting Sheep 



The best instrument to raise a cosset on is the commort 
nursing bottle used in feeding babies. 

Marking the Lambs. 

It is always advisable that we have some means of identify- 
ing our lambs when very young, then should any happen to- 
stray away from their pens no serious trouble presents itself 
in the way of quickly finding them and returning to their 
mothers. As soon as the new-born lamb is perfectly dry 
I take a small quantity of shepherd's marking-ink and a small 
pencil brush, and with this mark or number it on the back 
with the corresponding number found on the ear tag of the 
ewe. This method makes it a very easy matter to keep tab 
en the lambs and helps to form a close acquaintanceship with 
them. It is not advisable to insert the ear tags in the ears 
of very young lambs, as the cartilage of the ear is soft, and 
the weight of the tag will make them droop. Marking 
the lambs in this way makes it a safe and easy matter to 
recognize them when it is desired to ear tag them. I have 
found it necessary to mark them twice before ear tagging 
them, for, as they grow, the marks seem to fade. 

Feeding the Lambs. 

Before we can feed lambs properly we must first give 
consideration to what purpose we are feeding them. If we 
are fitting them for the block the treatment must be some- 
what different from that employed in raising them for store 
purpose. In feeding for the market, or block, rations of a 
fattening nature should be fed, and a neat, plump animal 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 109- 



j;hould be sought ratlier than one of strong heavy frame,. 
which should be the aim of Uic shepherd in the raising of 
breeding stock. Whcr<? lambs arc fed exceedingly high on 
fat-forming rations they will accjuirc a plump, pretty appear- 
ance, but will never have the scale, range and frame that 
those fed on rations calculated to develop the frame will. 

Since I have treated on fattening lambs for the market 
elsewhere in this work. I will endeavor to describe my 
method in feeding lambs that are intended for breeding 
purpose. In the first place I maintain that exercise is most 
important for the proper development of the frame of a 
lamb whose mission in life is to propagate its species, 
whether it be male or female. They should not be closely 
penned where they cannot have abundant exercise at all 
times. They should have the use of a large yard in which 
to run and play to their hearts' content. If there be a mound, 
or pile of straw or something of that kind in the yard on 
which they can jump and play it will aid much in the devel- 
opment of a muscular and otherwise desirable frame. Give 
them all they want to eat and they will grow fast and keep in 
fine condition no matter how much exercise they may take. 
Xow. what shall we feed them and how shall we feed it, is 
the question. Briefly, if we have been thoughtful enough to 
provide some succulent ration for them, with the addition of 
some prime clover hay. bran, oats, and oil meal, and feeding 
them regularly and punctually we may hope to develop a 
frame and constitution that will fit them for the battle of life. 
Then we must not forget to erect a lamb creep at one end 
of the barn which will allow of their getting some extra 
rations without molestation from the ewes. Salt, of course, 
should be theirs at will. 



110 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 
Baby Pat. 

One most important item to be studied in the raising of 
really good lambs is to keep the "baby" fat on them just as 
long as is possible. A lamb that loses its baby fat before 
it has arrived at that state of maturity when it is capable 
of reproducing its own species, does not usually amount 
to much, or, in other words, is "stunted." When a lamb 
that is well fed loses its baby fat, it may be safe to say it is 
suffering from worms or some other trouble and is vmsound. 
If it is the aim of the shepherd to have a fine flock of ewes, 
the ewe lambs should be forced for the first year of their lives 
on frame and muscle producing elements "for all they are 
worth." After they are a year old. they seem to be able to 
"rough it" and hold their own on such common fare as the 
ewe flock should be getting. 

Ram lambs should be treated even more generously than 
are the ewe lambs, and for a longer period; especially is 
this.*true of stud rams. Although stud rams should be fed 
generously on flesh and frame-forming rations, the shepherd 
must understand what these are and not feed rations of a fat- 
forming nature in mistake for the former. Our aim should 
be to feed for health, strength, flesh, and frame; ample fat 
will accumulate from this mode of feeding without the addi- 
tion of any fattening grain ration. 

Ear Tagging. 

The shepherd should not be too anxious in getting this 
•work of? his hands. Sufficient time should elapse to allow the 
■cartilage of the lamb's ear to harden before attempting to 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring anu Market. \\S 

insert the car tag or tlic weight ul it will cause the ear tO' 
droop. 

The proper way to put the tag in is to catch your lamb, 
seat it on its rump, and hold it between your legs; both 
hands are then free to handle the punch, etc., in performing 
the operation. The breeder's tag should be inserted in the 
right ear, and the association tag in the other. The shepherd 
should be extremely careful that he keeps a true and honor- 
able record of the pedigree of his lambs, or he will not only 
be doing an injustice to the association which champions 
the breed he keeps, but he will also lay himself open to 
litigation 

Weaning. 

In weaning his lambs it is necessary that the shepherd 
should have forethought in preparing suitable succulent pas- 
tures and rich, nourishing foods to fill the place and loss of 
the lacteal notirishment caused by the separation of the ewes 
and their offspring. This means untiring, faithful vigilance 
on the part of the shepherd who, of course, will see that 
everything possible is done to mitigate the suffering of the 
ewe from fever and inflammation caused by the presence of 
pent-up milk in her udder. A little care g"iven at this time 
will no doubt often be the means of saving many a fine 
ewe from losing a part or the whole of her bag. It should be 
remembered that it is very rarely that a poor milker gives 
much trouble from this cause. 

What are the most suitable rations for the newly weaned 
lamb? I have not, as yet, found anything equal to the second 
crop of clover. Where rations of a highly succulent nature 
are fed, great care must be observed or we may experience 



114 Fitting Skeep 



great loss from the lambs becoming bloated. The method I 
have adopted with good results is to see that the stomachs 
of the lambs are well filled with their ordinary rations before 
they are turned into, the rape or clover field, and then allow 
them only one hour at first to appease their appetites. While 
some lambs do not take kindly to rape others will eat it at 
once, voraciously; especially is this the case where they and 
their dams have been fed on turnips and other roots during 
the winter or spring months. During a dry spell is the 
best time to wean the lambs. The poorest pasture the farm 
affords is the best for the benefit of the ewe until her milk 
is dried up. 

It is always best to take the ewes away from the lambs, 
rather than the lambs away from the ewes, when weaning 
them, as they do not seem to fret and worry nearly as much 
when left in a field that they are accustomed to. I have 
found good results from putting both the ewes and lambs 
together in the weaning field for an hour each day for a few 
days previous to their being weaned; the ewes will then not 
only teach the lambs to eat the rape, but the lambs wiH be- 
come more reconciled to their lot after becoming familiar 
with their surroundings than if the ewes are taken directly 
from them. The proper treatment of lambs demands that 
they be early taught to eat grain, then, when the weaning 
season comes along no diflficulty will be experienced in keep- 
ing them '"booming." 

As before mentioned, it is sound policy to put the ewes 
out of the hearing of the lambs and on poor or scanty pasture 
for the first week after weaning; less trouble will then be 
experienced in regard to damaged "bags," etc. Should a 
ewe's udder become gorged with milk and it is apparent 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 115 



that she is suffering Irdui this cause, she sliduld l)e partially 
milked, by hand; it is not ad\isahle to milk her clean, as this 
will only lend to cause a normal flow of milk. 

Castration. 

The castration of lambs is a very simple operation, and 
when properly done there is little danger if any of loss 
following. When lambs arc lost it is usually the result of a 
bungling operation performed by a bungling operator. I 
have perforiTied the operation upon many thousands of 
lambs, and indeed all classes of stock, without yet having 
a single loss. Where cleanliness and dexterity in operating 
is employed, no loss should follow. The greatest danger 
arising from castrating is where the animal is ruptured. This 
state of things, however, is very seldom found among landis. 
The proper time to castrate lambs is when they are about 
three daVs old. 

An up to date shepherd can castrate his lambs without 
the assistance of an attendant. In the Old Country shepherds 
usually perform the operation in the following manner: The 
lamb is caught and placed on its left side upon the ground. 
The operator then kneels down and presses the lamb against 
his knees and keeps it in position with his elbows; by thus 
doing both hands are left free to handle the knife, hold the 
>crotuni. etc. The operator then takes his knife and cuts the 
top of the scrotum clean off, leaving both testicles exposed 
to view; then, after squeezing them out of the scrotum, or 
sac, he grips them one at a time with his teeth and i)ulU 
them out. Care should be taken that the lining membrane 
be cut off at the same time the top of sac is removed. 



116 



Fitting Sheep 



This way of castrating may appear a little revolting to 
people of a sentimental temperament, but in reality it is not 
so, as nothing but the teeth need touch the testicles in per- 
forming the operation. This method is the very. best that 
can be employed where the shepherd has to perform the 
operation without the help of an assistant. 

Many advise cutting ofif the whole scrotum and contents 
with a pair of keen shears. This mode has several drawbacks. 




Cl.amps Used in Castr.^ting. 



In the first place, it is plainly evident, from the stiff way in 
which the lambs walk the first few days after being operated 
upon, that this method is a somewhat cruel one, as it causes 
much pain. Then again too much of the scrotum is usually 
cut off by this method to allow of the animal being really 
a symmetrical one, from a butcher's standpoint. As with a 
steer, a wether lamb should be left with as large a sac or 
'"cod" as possible, for when this is well filled with fat it 
not only dresses better but is somewhat of a criterion of the 
•quality of the lamb. 

The use of antiseptics in conjunction with the operation 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 117 



is no doubt very useful, but I have never employed any in 
the ease of the castration of very younp lambs; I have never 
•found such a course necessary. 

In the castration of aged rams, clamps should be used, the 
tise of which will prevent excessive bleeding. Clamps may 
be made of wood, and will answer the purpose intended 
equally as well as the more expensive steel ones. The ac- 
companying engraving or cut will give a pretty clear idea 
-of how to make a pair of wooden clamps. I'".ldcr or hazel 
wood is generall}'^ used for this purpose, but any hard wood 
of a non-poisonous nature will answer equally as well. 

Of course, in castrating aged rams it is necessary to tie 
the animal's legs to prevent struggling and to facilitate ease 
in performing the operation. Where an assistant is available, 
in the castration of young lambs the testicles can be pulled 
out with the fingers and thumb, but the testicles are more 
often smashed by this method than by grasping with the 
teeth. In any case the testicle should be taken hold of well 
down toward the small part of the spermatic cord, and in the 
-case of bursting a testicle it should be seen that the cord is 
entirely removed or the chances are that it will cause sup- 
puration. This is one objection to the cutting ofif of the 
whole of the scrotum and its contents. In England pincers 
Avith rubber jaws are used to draw the testicles, and they 
are no doubt a very valuable addition to the shepherd's outfit. 
In castrating an aged ram his legs should be secured 
with a rope; this being done, get your searing irons ready for 
ttse by heating them to a dark red heat; then take the top 
of the scrotum off with your knife and apply clamps securely 
to spermatic cord, well below the testicle; then cut the testicle 
«fif and sear the cord with the hot iron, treating one testicle 



118 Fitting Sheep 



at a time. If the searing iron is dipped in lard in which 
a little verdigris is mixed danger from inflammation follow- 
ing the operation is limited. A little of the mixture when: 
melted, but not too hot, poured into the scrotum has a 
beneficial effect. Usually aged rams get very stitY after being^ 
castrated; this condition, however, soon passes away. 

When aged rams or lambs are castrated during hot weather 
tar should be smeared over the wound to prevent the flies^ 
from attacking it. 

Docking. 

The most favorable time for docking lambs is when about 
six days old. The danger from shock and excessive bleeding 
is then very slight. I have never performed the operation 
with anything but a common jack-knife, or a butcher's knife. 

In performing the operation unassisted, the operator holds 
the Iamb between his legs, in a standing position, and after 
pushing the skin of the tail well up towards the vent, with 
one quick, clean cut the tail is severed. 

Of course, the operation can be more satisfactorily per- 
formed by having attendants catch and hold the lam'jjs during 
the operation. 

In docking old sheep a piece of twine should be tied 
tightly around the tail at a point immediately above where 
it is intended to cut it off. This prevents excessive bleed- 
ing. After the elapse of a few hours the twine should be 
taken off. If the weather is warm and damp, flies are liable 
to bother the wounds. To prevent this, smear tar on the 
wound. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 119 



Maggots. 

Considemble loss is sometimes caused in the flock by 
maggots. As is known among sheepmen generally, when 
the egg of the blow-fly is once laid in suitable places, such 
as in the filthy tag-locks of ill-cared for sheep, newly cas- 
trated and newly docked lambs, during the early summer 
months, it docs not take long before the unfortunate animal 
is being literally eaten alive by this terrible pest. Happily 
American shepherds know but little regarding this trouble 
as compared to the troubles of shepherds in England. There, 
during several months of the year, they have to use the ut- 
most vigilance or their flocks would sufYer terribly from the 
ravages of this insidious foe. I have always considered 
that sheep in the Old Country carry considerably more 
greasy or yolky fleeces than, or ordinarily do, sheep in this 
country; and coupled willi this, tlie humidity of the climate 
and prevalent rains, conditions are more favorable to the 
interest of the blow-fly there than are the conditions of this 
country. 

■ It is nqt always in wounds or tag-locks that the blow-fly 
deposits its eggs, as sometimes they are found, especially 
during hot. stormy weatiier, deposited on the rump and back 
of the shoulder, where they quickly hatch, and commence 
to cat the poor, unfortunate brute. 

Lambs usually sufi'cr more from the attacks of the bhiw-fly 
than do mature sheep: their fleeces seem to offer more favor- 
able conditions for the deposit of its eggs. 

When a sheep is troubled with maggots it becomes very 
restless and wiggles its tail very much, as does a lamb when 
partaking of nourishment from its dam. Immediately upon 



120 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

symptoms of maggots appearing, the shepherd should make 
a thorough examination of the victiin, and use such means 
as will prevent the maggots from spreading over the body, 
which, if neglected, will most assuredly result in the death 
of the poor animal. As soon as the pest is located, the wool 
should be shorn of¥ the infested spot, the maggots picked out, 
the wound washed and anointed with zinc ointment. Where- 
the sheep has been unnoticed for any length of time or other- 
wise neglected, and the maggots, in great numbers, having; 
had the opportunity of pervading a large territory, more- 
stringent measures must be adopted. Alcohol and sassafras 
mixed and rubbed over the spot the maggots have taken 
possession of will drive them out in a hurry; but I think 
it far preferable to pick or scrape them out and destroy them, 
for if left alive they may seek other hunting grounds on the 
same animal. 

In the case of maggots finding their way into the scrotum 
of newly castrated lambs, care must be observed that every 
one be removed, or the chances are that the animal will 
die. Sometimes they will bury themselves so deep in the 
flesh as to be overlooked by even old experienced shep- 
herds. Turpentine and sweet oil poured into the wound 
will sometimes dislodge them, but generally when they have 
once buried themselves in this locality the lamb is lost, as 
they usually find their way to the bowels. 

Where the shepherd is a careful and keen observer no- 
great loss or inconvenience need be experienced in this coun- 
try from the attacks of the maggot. When ewes and lambs- 
are thoroughly dipped in some good standard dip, just after 
shearing, the maggot is not usually found to give much 
trouble. 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 123 

Breedln); of Hwe Lambs. 

^\\'hetlier tlic l)n.'0(ling of ewe lambs is ad\ isal)lc or protit- 
iiblc cK'peiuls imicli im tlie l)recd oi sheep, tlie farm on which 
they are raised, the kind of food to he iirocured, and hist. 
but not least, the shepherd in charge. 

The ITampsliire. one of our l)est known Down breeds, 
has proved itself par excellence the most precocious of all 
breeds. To illustrate what I say I will quote from an article 
from my own pen tliat ai)i)eared in Wool Markets and Sheep 
regarding the subject. "The question of the prudence and 
profit of breeding from ewe lambs is a somewhat mooted one, 
iind while some wlu) have exi)erimented along such lines, 
imdoubtedly with a tlock lacking in the desirable precocious 
and prolific instincts of some well known breeds; or, per- 
haps, with land mimis certain desirable and indispensable 
■chemical qualities, or not unlikely lacking the necessary abil- 
ities to successfully handle such a flock, will tell us that 
nothing but a disastrous issue confronts us; on the other hand 
■we are met by men who have delved deep down into the 
■depths of science, and with Darwin tell us of what seem to 
us almost impossibilities. 

"The day has been — and is to-day — when it was thought 
that sheep only of certain breeds would do on certain kinds 
of land. Now. in these days of the ripening of science and 
rapid progress what are we to do? Are we to get a breed 
of sheep exactly suited to the conditions and quality of the 
land, or are we. with improved draining facilities and highly 
valuable chemical manures, to condition our land to our 
flocks? 

'T contend, and with facts and figures wish to clearly 



124 Fitting Sheep 



demonstrate, that where breed, feeding and some of the- 
higher laws of nature are carefully considered and adhered 
to, that breeding from ewe lambs is not only profitable, but 
in many instances very desirable; in fact, I have so pinned 
my faith to such a course of procedure that my experiments 
will tend in this direction the coming breeding season. Now, 
brother shepherds, I am not taking the stand to tell you that 
taking a bunch of ewe lambs — promiscuously — and breeding' 
them will put you on the road to wealth; neither am I telling 
you to take any of our modern improved breeds and expect 
to strike a Klondike right off. Oh, no! But I want to 
tell you that there is a breed of sheep that will, as lambs, 
produce offspring that in mutton qualities or heavy-weights 
vie with any that may be produced from ewes at any given, 
age. It is the Hampshire. 

"When in the year 1760, Bakewell, who was undoubtedly 
the father of the flockmaster — commenced his improvements 
of live stock, did he think he would be followed by sons of 
such high intellectual order or standing as are our flock- 
masters of to-day? To make my subject anything approach- 
ing completeness I must introduce one of the greatest 
flockmasters of the day — De Mornay— who has given us 
the benefit of his experiments, and the most valuable proofs 
of the reasonableness of breeding from ewe lambs. He it is 
who tells us that the development of constitution and mus- 
cular form does not take so long a time to effect as does 
the procreative system. 'To alter habit and fix an instinct 
of precocity requires a long and persistent effort on the part 
of the breeder in the selection of the most precocious of both 
sexes without interruption for many years, supplying them, 
at the same time with an appropriate and liberal diet.' 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 125 

"Read what ho tells us about early maturity. He says:" 'A 
ram (, Hampshire) lamb was put in with the tlock of 170 ewe 
lambs on October 5. In March and April they gave birth 
to 153 lambs, several beinj? twins, one of which was saved 
for a ram. They were all good, well-made lambs, easily 
reared by their young mothers, and with very little more 
attention than it was necessary to bestow on the principal 
flock.' He then goes on to tell us that, 'A ram Iamb was 
turned into only fifty of the ewe lambs on September 10, 
the lambs then being only seven months old, and they 
gave birth in February and March to 55 strong lambs, 
without the loss of a single lamb. The following 
year these 50 lambs, being two-tooth sheep, gave birth to 60 
fine lambs, some of which weighed 15 pounds on the day 
they were born. They lambed easier than the two-tooths, 
which had not lambed when they were tegs. There were 
reared in four consecutive years 506 teg lambs.' 

"The most remarkable proof of the early maturing proper- 
ties and the fecundity of the Hampshire can be gathered 
upon again referring to Mr. De Mornay's report: 'Three 
ewes, each having two lambs by their side, were bred to one 
of the rams in the flock which could not have been more 
than three months old, and the three ewes gave birth to six 
more lambs in August, one having three lambs.' He also 
mentions a ewe which gave birth to two lambs in the month 
of January. She lambed again early in July, when she gave 
birth to two more lambs, and in the January following she 
had again two lambs, making in all six lambs dropped by this 
ewe within a year. The produce (one year's) from this indi- 
vidual ewe realized $125, leaving one yet unsold. 

"Undoubtedly the Hampshire ewe lamb, on account of her 



126 Fitting Sheep 



precocity and fecundity, can be profitably bred without tlie 
least ill effects, provided the food and care supplied is of the 
right standard. As far as constitution goes, nothing lieed be 
feared." 

Using Ram Lambs. 

The Hampshire breeders of England almost invariably use 
ram lambs as sires in their flocks, and the plan is found to 
give good results. But the Hampshire is an exceedingly ro- 
bust animal and, as is well known, is a very precocious and 
very early maturing sheep. I have made experiment in using 
Shropshire ram lambs, as sires, but for more reasons than 
one I prefer a yearling for service, and I cannot with any 
degree of confidence recommend the using of ram lambs 
generally. 

Breeding of Dorsets Twice a Year. 

It is an undeniable truth that Dorsets will breed twice 
in one year. I have, since being in this country, bred a Dor- 
set ewe flock when the lambs have been suckling their dams. 
But this course is disastrous to the flock, and therefore no 
benefit to the flockmaster, the lambs being appreciably 
smaller, and the ewe considerably harmed by such methods. 
The lambs in question showed unmistakable evidence of 
weakened constitutions, were badly attacked by the 
stomach worm, and otherwise showed themselves to be unde- 
sirable property. Although we undoubtedly get a great num- 
ber of lambs from this method, it is extremely doubtful if we 
get as many dollars as when the ewes are bred once only 
in a year. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 127 

The Period of Qestation in Ewes. 

Of all our domestic animals none, perhaps, are more ir- 
regular as to time in bringing forth their oflfspring than is 
the ewe. The normal period of gestation of the ewe is 145 
days, but rarely do we find one punctual in this respect. 
Experience has taught nic that sometimes where ewes are 
served on the same day they vary considerably as to the time 
when they lamb. Sometimes we find them lambing a week 
before the normal period, while at other times we find them 
going a full week over this period. Lambs that are born 
twelve days previous to the expiration of the normal period 
of gestation rarely survive more than a few hours at most, 
if at all, after birth. 

The period of heat in ewes generally commences, in this 
country, in the month of September; in England it com- 
mences much earlier in the season, in fact it seems that the 
ewe wiir take the ram in that country almost at any time 
when not actually in lamb. Climatic influence has, no 
doubt, much to do with this. 

How to Tel! a Slieep's Age. 

Most shepherds can generally tell the age of a sheep pretty 
correctly without examination of teeth, or in other words, 
from its general appearance, whilst many just entering into 
the sheep business have but a very slight idea of how to 
tell the age of a sheep. Sheep, like other ruminants, have 
eight incisors. These are all in the under jaw. In place of 
incisor teeth on the upper jaw. a tough pad is provided, called 
the dental pad, which serves the place of teeth. Sheep have 



128 Fitting Sheep 



32 teeth altogether, 24 molars or grinders, and, as before 
said. 8 incisors. 

A sheep's age under one year old is easily distinguished 
by its teeth, there being a full set of "milk" or "sucking" 
teeth. At a year old the two central incisors appear. These 
are much larger and stronger than the milk teeth. 

Many men, both shepherds and others, will tell you a 
two-year-old sheep does not get his second addition to the 
permanent incisors before it arrives at two years old. I have 
almost invariably found that these appear at about 21 months 
old, and at 30 months the third pair of permanent incisors 
have come. After sheep have all their incisors, or become 
"full-mouthed," the age must be determined by other signs, 
such as: Hollovvness of the loin, width of nostril, size of 
belly, "broken mouth," etc. 

Tagging. 

Tagging, in the shepherd's vernacular, means cutting of? 
the dirty wool or tag-locks sometimes found adhering to the 
stern of the sheep, especially during the early Spring months, 
just previous to shearing time. Tagging should be attended 
to, not at any set or specified time, but just as soon as a 
sheep is seen to be filthy. To allow a sheep to go in a filthy 
state when it should be tagged oftentimes is the cause of 
trouble from maggots. The blow-fly deposits its eggs there 
and the first thing we know the poor animal is literally alive 
with maggots, and without prompt attention and treatment 
there will be a death in the flock to record. 

When tagging a sheep lay it on its side and with a keen 
pair of shears cut the dirty wool off. Where the manure has 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 129 



been allowed to accunuilatc for any considerable period, and 
allowed to become dry and hard a kOen knife is the best 
instrument to remove the tags; of course care being observed 
that the skin is not cut. In cold weather sheep should not 
be tagged too closely. Usually, unless where succulent ra- 
tions are in abundance, tagging is not often necessary dur- 
ing the Winter. 

How to Drench a Sheep. 

There would be verj' few cases of choking sheep to death 
if we would only take the trouble to study the anatomy of 
the animal for a few moments. Upon opening the neck of a 
sheep, by cutting from at a point near the breast toward 
the under jaw, as the sheep lays on its back, we first notice 
the windpipe. Next to this comes, or is exposed to view, 
rather, the gullet, or pipe by which the food is carried to 
the stomach. Now the reason why sheep are sometimes 
choked to death while being drenched by the novice, is, that 
he does not fully understand the construction and disposition 
of these important organs. 

Quite often, when in the act of drenching a sheep, the 
young shepherd fails to keep the mouth of tlie drenching 
bottle, or drenching horn, as the case may be, high enough 
up toward the roof of the animal's mouth, and the conse- 
quence is some of the dose or drench finds its way into the 
windpipe and death results. If, when the young shepherd 
happens to have a sheep die, he would only take the trouble 
to open it and make a careful study of its anatomy, we would 
hear of less loss from drenching and other minor troubles 
that are ever occurring to worry the young enthusiast. 



130 Fitting Sheep 



Dipping. 

A few dollars spent in a dipping apparatus, a few more 
spent in the purchasing of some reliable standard dip is one of 
the most profitable investments a shepherd can make. No 
flock can possibly thrive when covered with vermin. While 
well-fed flocks are not usually found to be badly infested with 
ticks, lice, etc., as are the half-starved, poorly-fed ones, it 
is sound policy to dip all flocks at least once a year, twice 
being preferable. Sheep that are intended to be dipped 
should be fasted a few hours previous to the work being 
done, as it not only makes it easier to handle them but lessens 
the danger of causing them internal injury. The best time 
to dip is just after shearing, and again in October. Every 
sheep should remain in the dipping trough at least one 
minute; when a'ctually timed the operator will think one min- 
ute a long time and will feel like curtailing it; but, he should 
remember that "what is worth doing is worth doing well." 
and that the last half of the minute is doing the greatest 
good. 

On every sheep farm the dipping pens. vat. and yard should 
be a permanent plant. There should be a pen for holding 
the sheep previous to dipping, one for holding them after 
having passed through the dipping vat, and draining pen, 
as they should not be allowed to wander over the pasture lots 
directly after being dipped, especially when the dip used is of 
a poisonous nature. 

A dipping plant need not be a costly afifair. Any one 
handy with carpentering tools can make one that will answer 
all the intents and purposes of the farmer or flockmaster 
owning a flock of, say, not over 500 head of sheep. As 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 131 

before intimated it is always advisable to dip twice a year, 
dip with the idea of prevention rather than that of cure. Dip 
with some standard dip. It is more economical, reliable, and 
beneficial than any decoction of lime and sulphur. 

For the accompanying illustriited description of how to 
make a cheap and serviceable dipping tank, the author's 
thanks are due to .Mr. W. Vestal of Plainfield, Ind., by whom 
it was kindly supplied. Some time ago there was offered a 
silver cup valued at $ioo for the best plan and description 
of a cheap and serviceable dipping tank that would meet 
the requirements of those keeping a small flock of sheep. 
Mr. Vestal was the lucky winner of this valuable trophy. 

Here is the description of the Vestal dipping tank in 
the inventor's own words: 

"We have a dipping outfit which I made and which any 
farmer can make at small cost, and it answers the purpose. 
Two men, one on each side of the vat, and our little nincr 
year-old Willie to keep the sheep massed in the chute, will 
handle them at the rate of about one sheep every four or 
five minutes, and that will allow the sheep to remain in the 
dip two minutes, "bv the watch," and should not be 
guessed at. 

To make the dipping-vat use 2x4 stuff; cut eight pieces ^^ 
feet 2 inches long, and four pieces 20 inches long, and frame 
by halving together, as shown in Figs, i and 2. Now take 
the four frames and set them on a level floor, and nail tem- 
porary strips on the outside to keep them in position. Use 
first-class flooring for sides and ends; paint tongues and 
groove, as you put them on; commence at the bottom. 
grooved side down (plain the groove off the first boards), 
and build up, letting the ends extend past the posts at each 



132 



Fitting Sheep 



end so that thej- may be sawed off afterwards to insure a 
good joint at the corners. The bottom should be I^x6 
inches, with the edges beveled to correspond with the flare 



1 




E 1 1 1 1 1 

r 




I; 

rl- L_J_i_ 



y._>L 



of the sides. Draw down with ^ bolts and nail the side 
planks to the edge of bottom board, and you will have a 
water-tight joint. Now, after sawing the side planks flush 
with the outside of end posts, seal up ends on outside of 



FOR Show Ring and Market, 133 

posts. Paint the inside thoi'DUglily. and 3'ou will have a 
water-tight box. You can nail quarter-round in the corners 
if necessary, but ours has none, and does not leak, and has 
been in use for three years. I like the dipping-vat 8 feet lont?, 
so as to allow an incline for sheep to walk out on. They 
will climb out with little assistance if so arranged. We have 
a small tackle hung near the e.xit end of tlie vat, so that in 
handling very heavy sheep we have a saddle girth, with ring 
on each end. which we put under the sheep behind the fore- 
legs, hook the tackle into the rings, and one man -will easily 
lift a 300 pound sheep, but we seldom use the tackle, as the 
sheep naturally walk out with little assistance, and 300 pound 
sheep are very scarce with us. We have not succeeded in 
raising many of that kind. We let the vat into the ground 
two feet, so the top stands two feet above the surface. Bore 
an inch hole in bottom to drain ofif liquid — one inch — so that 
it may be stopped with a corn cob; bury an old box or barrel 
a short distance from the vat, and make a drain from the 
hole in the vat to it. and there will be no danger of chickens 
or other stock drinking it. 

In Fig. 3 I have tried to give an inside view of the vat, 
and in Fig. 4 a side elevation before being let into the 
ground or floor. From the exit end of the vat, extends the 
draining table, which should be about 4 feet wide and of any 
-desired length, with the outer end elevated so as to drain 
back into the vat with a strainer to catch any filth that might 
accumulate on the table. 

I will endeavor to illustrate in Figs. 5 and 6 how to build 
the draining-table. Use for sills 2x6 inch at intervals of 2 
feet to nail the floor to. Say you make the first section 14 
feet; you can let the next lap on the first and extend as far 



134 



Fitting Sheep 



as you desire. Shape the sills as shown in Fig. 5, and regulate 
the pitch by the length of the legs as shown in Fig. 6. Set 
the sills in line, nail temporary strips on each end to hold 
in position and proceed to floor, taking care to paint well 
the tongues and grooves, and when done give two good 
coats of paint to prevent shrinking and swelling. The legs. 




TR 


M 


|[ II ' 


T] D i 


[ T 


n / 






h 


1 


\ "- 


I 




1 fl6-6. 




u 


i_l 










LI 



.6. 7. 

Diagram of Dipping Plant. 
may extend upward for posts to nail planks to to prevent 
the sheep jumping off, a small gate or bar at the end to 
let them out when they cease to drip completes the draining- 
table. Fig. 7 shows draining surface of the table. We find 
14 feet of draining-table is sufficient for our use. 

We do not consider it any great job to dip our little flock 
of 100 to 150 sheep." 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 135 

The Shearing of Stud Flocks. 

One of the most important items connected with the man- 
agement of stud flocks, and one which is too often ignored 
by shepherds and flockmasters alike, is that of skillful and 
artistic shearing. To add beauty and luster to a flock means 
a substantial addition to the exchequer. What detracts more 
from the beauty of a fine stud flock, or pains the heart of the 
expert shepherd more than that of unartistic, unsystematic 
shearing? In the shearing of our fine stud flock.s, there 
should be among us an established style, or system, as there 
is in the old country among the great flockmasters, who are 
as particular and conservative in regard to the style in which 
their sheep are shorn as is the American in regard to how his 
lawn is mown. A sheep having passed through the hand.s 
of an adept in the art of shearing, is usually as one having 
been turned out of a mould, or shorn after a prepared pat- 
tern — it is, indeed, "a thing of beauty," as compared to that 
having passed through the hands of one having no taste, no 
style, or system in his work. 

As before mentioned, old country flockmasters are invaria- 
bly most particular in regard to the manner in which their 
flocks are shorn. They insist upon style, method and system; 
€very animal must be a counterpart of each other as regard 
the correctness and disposition of the lines and curves made 
by the shears during the process of shearing. Every line 
must be parallel to each other, or there is "kicking." The 
shearers' motto is "not how many, but how good." Shearers 
who shirk or wander from this text usually find, like Othello, 
their occupation gone. To cut and slash, promiscuously, 
here, there and everywhere in the endeavor to remove the 
fleece as rapidly as possible receives no countenance in the 



136 Fitting Sheep 



"tight little island." Cuts must be conspicuous only by their 
absence. Shearing is not, as is sometimes erroneously sup- 
posed by many flockmasters of this country, usually done by 
shepherds, but by gangs of professional shearers, whose neat 
and artistic work is indeed remarkable, and truly commend- 
able. A short sketch of how, when and where sheep are 
shorn in the old country, will not, I trust, be out of place, 
but, on the contrary, I hope will prove interesting if not in- 
structive to the readers of this little volume. 

Three styles of shearing are in vogue, viz.: "The long," 
"the round" and "diamond" styles, the latter style now, how- 
ever, being almost obsolete. 

The first move made in the shearing of a sheep is to seat 
it on its rump and then "belly" it. "Bellying" in the shearers*^ 
vernacular means removing the wool from the belly of the 
sheep. The average English shearer makes it a particular 
point that the subject under course of shearing be resting 
easy and free from oppression of any kind. Many shearers, 
remove the wool from the "butts" of a sheep while it sits 
on its rump, whilst others lay it down at full length on its 
side to perform this part of the operation. If it be the desire 
of the shearer to shear the butts of the animal whilst it is 
sitting on its rump, he quickly makes a few straight cuts 
with his shears at a point near the scrotum, or udder, as the 
case may be, to a point at or near the pin-bone. This pre- 
sents a very pretty effect when the lines are so made as to 
correctly meet those made during the process of removing- 
the wool from the animal's side. In the author's opinion the 
wool on the butts is more easily removed when the sheep is 
sitting on its rump than at any other time, or in any other 
way. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 137 

When it is intended that a sheep be shorn the "long" way, 
or style, the wool is first removed from the head, the wool 
on the throat is next opened, and the shearer then shears 
from the windpipe toward the backbone, or verterbrae, 
rather, of the neck, being very careful to make every line 
parallel to each other. This process is continued until a 
series of curves, or rings are made, extending from the head 
to a point at or near the point of the shoulder blade. Hav- 
ing proceeded thus far, the position of the sheep is reversed 
and the wool removed from the othc" side of its neck and 
shoulder. It is then laid down full length on its side and the 
wool removed therefrom by a series of skillful, well-directed 
movements of the shears, commencing at the shoulder and 
continuing the operation to the stern in shearing the oft- 
side of the sheep, and vice versa, when shearing the near 
side of same. As before intimated each line should be parallel 
to each other and of the same width ; this ensures a very 
artistic and pretty effect. The manner of manipulating the 
shears in this country differs somewhat from that adopted 
by expert shearers in the Old Country. Instead of cutting 
clear through the wool, as is usually done by shearers here, 
the Englishman uses the shears much as would a lady in 
cutting out a garment, the shears appearing as if continually 
gnawing its way through the wool in the place of its being 
cut entirely through at each clip of the shears.' The English 
mode of shearing not only assures straight, smooth, artistic 
shearing, but reduces the chances of cutting the animal to a 
minimum. 

In shearing a sheep in the "round way," as in the "long 
way," it is first "bellied," and the fleece then removed by 
shearing entirely around the subject, one-half or side at a 



138 



Fitting Sheep 



time, always leaving every line parallel to each other. Sheep 
shorn in this way have the appearance of being enveloped 
in a fine, velvet corduroy suit, and look remarkably neat in 
appearance. 

The illustration accompanying this chapter is admittedly 
a poor one. It should have been taken a month earlier, or 



'■.Xv'!r'"'"'"""rj*'^''""''^"""- -- "••vv)..'-{,. L '; ',; ?, 1,.. (,, '(., %i<J 



^•w' 



?^ 



T*l» 







Sheep Shorn the Long Way. 



just after the subject was shorn; the lines now being par- 
tially obliterated. I hope, however, that it will convey a 
fairly clear idea of what the "long way" of shearing is, and 
what is meant by lines in shearing. Sheep when in thin flesh 
appear to better advantage when shorn the "long way," but 
a flock of fat wethers, or indeed fat sheep of any kind, make 
a most beautiful picture when shorn the round way, each one 
having the appearance of coming out of the same mould, or 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 139 



machine, and presents a most pleasing contrast to those 
shorn by the inexperienced and unskilled shearer. 

In England sheep are usually shorn at a given price per 
score (twenty head), with an allowance of cider or beer in 
the bargain. The barn floor, or the cool shade of the apple 
orchard is the usual scene of the shearing festival. Straw 
is placed on the floor or ground, as the case may be, over 
which is thrown a tarpaulin, or rick cover, this making a 
tolerably comfortable resting place for both sheep and shear- 
ers. The shearers are usually attired in perfectly white over- 
alls ; each gang having its own "catchers" and wool tyers. 

Tying the Fleece. 

As soon as the fleece is taken off it should be carefully laid 
on the tying table bright side down, and any dirt, bits of 
straw, burrs, etc.. should be removed. Next it should be 
packed together in as close and even a mass as possible 
before being rolled previous to being tied. The two outer 
edges should be turned over so that they meet together, or 
even overlap each other a tritlc. in tlic middle of the Heece. 
It should then be folded in about the same manner as a 
soldier folds his blanket. In tying a fleece, wool twine only 
should be used. Wool is much easier and neater tied when 
a wool box is used; but of course the wool should be carefully 
folded before being put into tlic box if a really neat fleece is 
expected. Too many advocates of the wool-tying bo.x are 
entirely too careless in the preparation of the fleece before 
being put into it. 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market 141 



PART III. 

Raising Hot House Lambs. 

This is a most important and profitable branch of the 
sheep business when carried on on a business-like basis. It is 
folly, however, for any one to launch out into this business 
without the right stock-in-trade, the most important item of 
which is a good flock of ewes, endowed with an unusual share 
of maternal instinct, milking qualities, precocity, prolifigacy 
and fecundity. To this must be added a comfortable, but not 
necessarily costly, barn. Then the men in charge must be 
honest and faithful. Whilst it is true that we sometimes find 
an occasional ewe in almost all flocks that readily encour- 
ages the amorous attentions of the ram at a time favorable 
to the bringing about of yeaning at a desirable time for the 
production of early lambs, it is no less true that very few 
flocks or breeds have this peculiarity or trait in such a 
marked degree as to warrant the owners of same launching 
out into the hot-house lamb business with any degree of 
safety or much chance of success. 

But few of the Down breeds are really reliable as early 
lamb-raisers, but there is one, whose precocity and fecundity 
warrants it a place among those classed as early lamb-raisers. 
It is the Hampshire. 

Among the long-wools we find that the Devon-Longwool 
compares very favorably with those whose mission is that 
of raising early lambs for the market. The Rambouillet, the 



142 Fitting Sheep 



Merino and Tunis breeders claim, and perhaps justly so, that 
their respective breeds are well adapted to the production of 
early, or hot-house lambs. The writer's experience has been 
that no breed or cross fulfills the mission of early lamb rais- 
ing as does the Somerset and Dorset Horns. The latter is 
well represented in this country, but, as far as I am aware, the 
Somersets are not as yet represented. However, the Somer- 
set Horn is almost the exact counterpart of the Dorset Horn. 

Ewes to be Stimulated by Extra Feed. 

Ewes that are intended to be bred for the purpose of rais> 
ing early lambs should receive a small allowance of grain 
previous to the ram being put with them. This will stimulate 
the genital organs and ensure a more regular and even lamb- 
ing period. Lambing should be over, at the' very latest, by 
Christmas. Roots should be abundantly provided for the 
tise of both ewes and lambs. Too many flockmasters under- 
estimate the value of roots in the feeding of their flocks, 
contending that they contain too little nutriment and too 
much water. Now my contention is that, supposing turnips 
contained not one particle of nutriment in their composi- 
tion, their value as an aid to digestion cannot be over-esti- 
mated. It is unwise to consider the raising of really good 
sheep of any kind without the aid of succulent rations of 
some kind. Roots are cheaply grown and fill the bill to a 
nicety. 

Castrating or Docking Spring Lambs Unnecessary. 

As regard lambs that are intended to be sold as spring 
lambs, it is not required that they be either docked or 
emasculated. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. H',i 

Lambs usually commence to eat at from ten to twenty- 
days old. A portion of the barn should be partitioned off 
to be used as a feeding ground for them. Creeps must be 
so fixed that the lambs may have access to grain rations, etc.» 
without danger of molestation from the ewes. Both ewes and 
lambs should be fed carefully, liberally and punctually. I 
have found February the banner month for the disposal of 
really fat, plump spring lambs. I have found it profitable 
to dress my own lambs. (See chapter on Dressing Sheep 
and Lambs for Market, page 205) 

A well-fed Dorset lamb should dress anywhere from 25 to 
35 pounds at about 10 weeks old. An American breeder of 
Dorsets claims to have dressed lambs of that breed that at 
the age of two months dressed 40 pounds. A truly commend- 
able showing for both breed and breeder. 

Desirable Markets. 

There is always ready sale for neat, first-class spring- 
lambs. All first-class hotels and restaurants are on the watch 
for something above par along this line — something that will 
tickle their patrons' palates. I have never experienced any 
difficulty in getting ten dollars per head for really prime 
lambs dressing from 25 to 35 pounds per head. In fact, at 
one particular season the demand far exceeded the supply. 
Ten dollars seems an exorbitant price for such dainty mor- 
sels, but even at this figure the profits from such a source 
are sometimes small, and where the feeder is not thoroughly 
attentive and faithful to his business the profit will be, prob- 
ably, nothing at all. Ewes whose mission is that of early 
lamb-raising should be coupled with the ram not later than 
the first week in July. Lambs will then appear thick and 



144 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

fast in the month of December, provided the ewes are what 
they are intended to be, viz., early lamb-raisers. Our ewes 
must be fed liberally, but should not be fat. Food of a heat- 
ing nature should be avoided, or serious troubles may follow 
in the shape of scours, abortion, etc. The entrance to the 
barn should be wide, so as to prevent the wedging of the 
ewes together in their mad rush for their grain ration; many 
cases of abortion are directly traceable to this evil. 

In the Hothouse. 

The barn should be divided into pens; the hay racks can 
be utilized for this purpose, thereby economizing room. 
Light and ventilation are indispensible. The self-feeder can- 
not be used to advantage in the feeding of hot-house lambs. 
The lambs must be excessively fat, or when dressed they will 
make a poor showing. The rations of both dam and off- 
spring must be of the best. The clover hay should be the 
very best procurable, free from dust and if the blossoms are 
discernable in it, so much the better. 

Rations for Spring Lambs. 

The finest quality lambs I ever handled were fed on oil- 
cake, crushed to pea size, pulped turnips — five pounds of 
turnips to one of oilcake, mixed — and all the clover hay they 
would eat. They were fed as much of this ration as they 
could eat, three times a day. Any that was left uneaten after 
one-half hour after feeding was removed from the troughs 
and went to help in the make-up of the ewes' rations. Worm 
powders, mixed with salt and ashes, were accessible to them 
at all times. Cut corn fodder was used as roughage at noon 




X — 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 147 

in the place of hay, this I believe having a very beneficial 
effect by way of variety. All roughage, clover hay, fodder 
or whatever same may consist of was changed three times 
daily, no stale rations being ever allowed before them. What 
the lambs do not clean up, the ewes will; therefore, there is 
practically no waste attending the feeding oprations. At 
first, when the lambs commence to eat, a little ground oats 
and finished middlings prove very agreeable and beneficial 
to them. Another very good ration is : Give new process 
oil meal until about one month old; after this one peck of 
cracked corn, and, if obtainable, one peck of bruised barley, 
in preference to same quantity of oats. Give all they will 
cat three times daily. The lambs should never be required to 
eat up what they leave over from one meal to another, or 
fat Iambs cannot be expected. Lambs to become fat and prime 
must be kept full and their "tails wiggling." 

Rations for the Breeding Ewes. 

A very valuable ration for ewes after lambing is com- 
pounded as follows: lo pounds corn meal, lo pounds wheat 
bran, 2 pounds linseed meal (mix). Feed at the rate of 
one pound of this mixture on one or two pounds of cut tur- 
nips or other roots that may be on hand. Feed morning and 
evening. Give all the bright clover hay they will eat up with- 
out waste. It is always advisable that the ewes be fed lightly 
of rich, stimulating rations for the first few days after yean- 
ing. Scours are ofttimes the outcome of too generous feed- 
ing directly after yeaning. This little trouble, however, is 
usually easily corrected by the change of rations; should it 
not prove effectual drugs must be resorted to. Castor oil. 



148 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

ij^ fl. oz.; laudanum, i fl. dr.; chloric ether, i fl. dr., divided 
in four or five equal parts (this somewhat depends on size 
and age of Iamb), will quickly correct all troubles of this 
nature. It is easiest given in a little oatmeal gruel, or lin- 
seed mucilage. If scours can be stopped without the admin- 
istration of drugs so much the better. 





rr 


u: 


u 


o 


^ 


o 




J 


w 


b 


r/1 




a< 


^ 


O 


C/J 


05 


>• 


K O 


tn 


01 


n 


C 


J 


05. 


u 


W 


E 






w 




t: 


c 




c« 




K % 


H 


c^ 


Z 


D5 


Q 


u< 


S 


t/T 


w 


CQ 


> 


S 



t. < 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 151 




PART IV. 

Forage Crops— Roots. 

N many parts of our great country the climate 
does not allow of the pasturing of sheep during 
the winter months. Sheep are lovers of suc- 
culent food and are known to thrive better on 
such than on dry fodder, etc.; therefore it be- 
•I'^T^^* hooves us to look well ahead and make prcp- 
■•■ "•■ aration for supplying them accordingly. How 

can we do this? Simply by providing them with roots such 
as mangels, beets, turnips, rutabagas, etc. All of the above- 
named roots grow very satisfactorily in most parts of North 
America, and they furnish a ration more conducive to the 
growth of the young and growing animal than almost any 
other. 

The value of roots for sheep should be measured not only 
from a feeding standpoint, but also from a medicinal point ot 
view, as they are, without doubt, a valuable corrector of the 
digestive system. Generally they are very easily and cheaply 
produced. Where the land is very fertile large crops can be 
raised with very little outlay of either labor or capital. 

Of course where it is intended that large quantities of 
roots be raised for the use of the flock during the winter sea- 
son, ample provision should be made for the keeping of 
same by providing suitable cellars in close proximity to the 
sheep barns where they can be stored and used without dan- 



152 Fitting Sheep 



ger of becoming frozen. When building a cellar it is well 
to arrange it so that the door will open directly into the 
sheep barn. This will make it not only convenient, but will 
reduce to a minimum all danger of the roots freezing while 
being handled. 

Cabbage. 

Cabbage grows more or less satisfactory in all parts of 
the United States. Our neighbors, the Canadians, are fully 
alive to the value of this plant as a sheep food, and they 
raise them somewhat extensively for their use. Cabbage is a 
sheep food that where once tried almost always finds favor 
among the owners and raisers of stud sheep. In many re- 
spects cabbage is superior and preferable to rape as a sheep 
food; especially is this so late in the fall of the year, as then 
a few thousand heads stored away can be fed to advantage 
when frost makes it dangerous to allow sheep to partake of 
rape. Many tons of cabbage can be raised on an acre of 
ground, and although there is sometimes much trouble ex- 
perienced in getting the plants well started in dry summers,, 
they are nevertheless a very profitable and desirable crop for 
the flockmaster to raise. 

Thousand-Headed Kale. 

Thousand-headed Kale is a plant belonging to the cabbage 
family. This plant grows to an enormous size and furnishes 
one of the most succulent, appetizing, healthful and fattening 
rations either for cattle or sheep known to stock-raisers. As 
before intimated. Thousand-headed Kale grows to an im- 
mense size and its enormous stalk growing to a great height 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 153 



and covered, as its name implies, with numerous cabbage- 
like heads furnishes a sight that cannot be but pleasing to 
•either cattle, sheep or their owners. I have seen single 
specimens of this plant growing in this country that was all 
any ordinary mortal would wish to carry. One peculiarity 
this plant has to recommend it is that cattle or sheep do not 
appear to bloat on it, no matter under what condition it is 
fed. Of course this applies to England. We would not dare 
to risk feeding it when frozen. It is grown very extensively 
by the English flockmasters, many of whom would as soon 
think of running their flocks without a shepherd as discard- 
ing Kale from their list of forage crops. 

White Mustard. 

White mustard is largely grown in England for the use 
of the flock. There is no doubt but that it contains tonic 
properties of a very valuable nature. It is a plant of very 
rapid growth and contains, qr is possessed of, the peculiar 
property of stimulating the genital organs, and by its use 
breeding — as applied to England — may be brought about at 
almost any season of the year desired. Sheep having been 
pastured on mustard seem to fatten very rapidly when put on 
ordinary pasture. Six weeks after sowing, mustard will be 
in full bloom and ready for cutting or pasturing. Much has 
been said and written regarding the danger from raising this 
plant on account of its liability of seeding itself and proving 
an obnoxious weed, as wild mustard is known to be. That 
these fears are groundless I have proved by experiment. I 
have found that the seed will always germinate when frost 
is absent, but that the least degree of frost is fatal to its 



154 Fitting Sheep 



I 



existence. Therefore in countries where frost is natural, 
danger from mustard reproducing itself by natural seeding 
need not worry the farmer or flockmaster. 

I have sown the seed at many different periods during the 
fall months, but in no one case have I seen a single seed 
germinate in the spring, for the simple reason that the seed 
would all germinate in the fall and continue to grow until 
destroyed by frost. The English wild mustard plant "or 
"Charlock" has been confounded with the domesticated 
English white mustard; it is, however, a very different plant. 

Kohl Rabbi. 

Kohl Rabi is a root much relished by sheep and exten- 
sively grown by many old covmtry flockmasters. It is better 
suited for the dry and hot seasons experienced in many parts 
of America than any other plant or root that I am acquainted 
with. I have grown enormous crops of them in Indiana. 
They are a very dry fleshed root, and belong to the cab- 
bage family. In appearance they are not unlike a rutabaga, 
growing on a very short cabbage stump, or stalk, with the 
leaves growing in a scattered way all over the bulb, instead 
of growing in a tuft, as is the case with the rutabaga. Kohl 
Rabi is raised in about the same way and manner as ruta- 
bagas, and originally came from Hungary. 

Common Turnips. 

Our common turnip furnishes one of the most appetizing 
and valuable rations for the flock that we have. Were there 
not a particle of nutriment in them, they would still be val- 
uable if only as an aid and promoter of digestion, especially 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 155 

during the winter months. In the old country thousands of 
sheep are fattened annually on little other than turnips as a 
bulk ration, with the addition of a small quantity of grain. 
What turnip-fed mutton means in England the whole world 
of shepherds are familiar with. It is not only for fattening 
sheep that they are prized, but for the bloom and growth 
they put on young stock of all kinds. Turnips are easily and 
cheaply grown. I have grown them to perfection in the 
Central states by simply sowing the seed broadcast in the 
cornfield ahead of the cultivator at the last cultivation of the 
corn. The largest ones I pulled and stored for winter use, 
the smaller ones I left for the flock to clear ofi the ground 
at will. I can safely say that no more healthful or economi- 
cal food was ever raised than this, and the wonder is that 
ten times more roots are not raised by our American flock- 
masters to-day than there are. 

Mangels or Beets. 

Mangels, or beets, although furnishing one of the most 
desirable roots for ewes when fed toward the spring, are not 
a very safe ration to feed during cold weather, they being 
very apt to cause scours of a very malignant form. When 
comparatively dry and free from water toward spring there 
is no better ration for the ewe that is suckling a lamb. Man- 
gels should never be fed to rams, as there is no doubt what- 
ever but that they are the cause of trouble of the urinary 
organs, and many a fine ram has been lost from stoppage of 
the water brought about by the use of these roots. 

The mangel is a very heavy cropper, and is easily handled, 
and where provisions are made for the keeping of roots 



156 Fitting Sheep 



every flockmaster would be wise in putting away a few 
hundred bushels for the use of ewes when the turnips are all 
eaten up and no grass or anything succulent is in sight. 
Mangels will keep, if properly stored, till away along in May. 
and maybe June, if it is found necessary. 

The Sand Vetch. 

The sand vetch is one of the most desirable and profitable 
crops the shepherd can grow for early spring use. Sown 
with rye in August, or early in September it furnishes a 
spring crop that is greatly relished by all members of the 
flock. Although perhaps not so good as the spring vetch it 
should be grown by every flockmaster who understands the 
importance of feeding succulent rations to the flock as 
much as possible at all times of the year. In the spring 
when little else is in sight to satisfy the craving appetites of 
the ewes and lambs for something green, something suc- 
culent, the sand vetch affords them an opportunity to satisfy 
this craving to their hearts' content. The sand vetch is a 
plant of rapid growth and can be fed almost continually 
until frost comes, either by pasturing or cutting. It can be 
cut many times in the season. I have had experience with 
it both in Canada and the state of Indiana and found it to 
give great satisfaction as a ration for sheep. It will grow, 
when sown with rye, to the height of five feet, and when 
in full bloom looks very pretty as it climbs the rye stalks. 

The Spring Vetch. 

Spring vetches, or tares, is one of the most useful and 
profitable crops that the shepherd can raise for his flock. As 
a fattening ration for sheep spring vetches have no peer in 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 157 

the whole list of our forage plants. Sheep eat them greed- 
ily and prefer them to the sand or winter vetch. As a starter 
for show sheep they are unsurpassed. Peas, oats, rape and 
spring vetches sown together makes an ideal ration for fit- 
ting show sheep. They are much hardier than peas and 
after being cut down by frost will spring up again and make 
a good crop. There is no doubt of its superiority over the 
sand vetch, so far as its feeding value is concerned. The 
spring vetch has a considerably larger and fleshier leaf and 
stem than the sand vetch. Every flockmaster should try a 
small patch of spring vetches. The flock will most assuredly 
appreciate it. 

Rye. 

In the early spring months rye furnishes a most appetizing 
and succulent ration for the flock, and where the fall growtli 
has been rank it may then be fed off without doing but little, 
if any, damage to the plant, provided it is not fed ofif too late 
in the season. Rye should be sown as soon as possible after 
harvest. I have grown some very good crops of rye by 
sowing it in the cornfield right after the corn Is shocked. Np 
especial preparation of the ground need be employed other 
than harrowing once or twice before seeding, and once after 
to cover the seed. Rye grows very rapidly and should not 
be allowed to get old and woody before being pastured. It 
may be pastured for quite a while by the flock, after which 
it may be allowed to mature, and it will be found, even then, 
to make a pretty good yield of grain. It is not advisable to 
turn the sheep on the rye when hungry, or when the rye Is 
heavily charged with moisture. Rye furnishes a fine ration, 
when little else is at hand, for starting the show flock toward 



158 Fitting Sheep 



that condition known as bloom. In pasturing the rye field 
with sheep it is better to divide the field into sections by 
hurdles, or some other portable fence, than to allow the 
flock the whole range of the field. Where grain is used the 
troughs should be placed on the poorest knolls or parts of the 
field. Lambs creeps should be provided, so that the lambs 
can feed ahead of the ewes, and thereby get the cream of the 
crop. 

How to Raise Rape. 

In England rape is grown extensively. The climate of 
that country is mild enough to allow of its standing the 
winter and furnishing a most valuable feed for the ewes and 
Iambs in early spring, which enhances the growth of the 
young lambs to an appreciable extent. Our winters here do 
not allow of this, but as regards the growing of rape for late 
summer and fall pastures, this country is everything that can 
be desired. Rape is a lover of rich soil, although it is a fact 
that the plant is not so much relished by the flock when 
grown on soil that is very rich as it is when grown on a 
comparatively poor soil. 

Rape can be sown in many parts of the country as early 
as April. For late fall feeding June or even July is early 
enough. I have found, however, that the early crop does 
not always prove profitable, as the aphis or louse attacks it 
badly. In appearance rape is not unlike a rutabaga that is 
all tops and no bulb. 

About three pounds of seed to the acre will be found suffi- 
cient for a good stand where the land is rich. It can be sown 
either broadcast or drilled. Care must be observed not to 
pasture rape when it is heavily laden with moisture from dew 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 1.j9 

or rain, as bloat may be the result. It is always well to see 
that the sheep have their stomachs well filled before being 
turned into the rape field. By thus doing, danger from bloat 
is minimized. 

Rape in the Corn Field. 

Sowing rape in the cornfield before the cultivator at the 
last cultivation of the corn is in some seasons very desirable 
and profitable, while in others it cannot be said to be a suc- 
cess, especially in times of drought. However, as the cost 
is small it is not out of place to make it a rule to sow some 
on this plan yearly. It is, outside of the cost of seed and 
the little time it takes in sowing, clear profit, and of no small 
benefit in crowding out obnoxious weeds which would other- 
wise infest the land. What few weeds grow up among the 
rape furnishes a tonic for the sheep that are put into the 
field. It is remarkable that more of this valuable forage 
plant is not grown in this way when one takes into con- 
sideration the small cost of producing same and the large 
amount of valuable food it furnishes. 

Ensilas^e. 

Good, sweet ensilage makes a first-class ration for sheep, 
especially for fattening sheep. I have fed largely of it, but 
to be candid I consider it a little too heating and fattening 
for breeding ewes where fed in anything like large quantities. 
Where fed in moderate quantities it is not only a useful 
ration, but is also a valuable tonic, especially where the shep- 
herd has not been wise in providing an abundance of roots. 
Mouldy ensilage should not under any consideration be fed 
to any class of sheep, as it will most assuredly cause serious 
disturbance of the stomach and bowels. 



160 Fitting Sheep 



Sainfoin. 

Sainfoin is a plant that is held in verj' high esteem among 
English flockmasters. It is found growing more or less in 
the common pastures of that country and will flourish on ex- 
ceedinglj' poor soil. The writer has seen it "flourishing as 
the green bay tree" on no other sustenance than that found 
in the mortar of an old wall on which it was growing. It 
stands drought admirably, and grows luxm-iantly on dry 
chalky soils. In appearance it may be likened unto a dwarf 
clover with an exceedingly fine leaf and stem and a very 
diminutive golden colored flower. It makes one of the best 
sheep foods known, and is very fattening. I have raised it in 
this country and it appears to thrive all right, and there is 
no doubt in the writer's mind but what it is a profitable crop 
for the American flockmaster to raise. Before the value of 
turnips was perfectly understood and appreciated in England, 
this valuable plant was the mainstay of the flockmasters of 
that country. Sainfoin makes the finest and best of all sheep 
hay. 

Alfalfa or Lucerne. 

Alfalfa or lucerne is a valuable addition to the sheep's bill 
of fare. I consider, however, that its real value lies more in 
the shape of hay than as a soiling crop, for unless cut and 
fed in racks there is considerable waste in feeding it, espe- 
cially where it has attained any considerable growth. It is 
necessary for the shepherd to keep a sharp look-out for 
bloat while his sheep are being pastured on alfalfa; espe- 
ciallv is this so in wet seasons. 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 163 







PART V. 

Common Ailments of the Flock and How to Treat Them. 
The Hospital. 

T is important that every well-appointed sheep 
barn be provided with its hospital wherein any 
sick members of the flock may be put, properly 
treated and cared for. It is advisable that this 
institution be erected at some considerable dis- 
tance from the sheep barn, as then in case of a 
contagious disease, danger of infection is greatly 
reduced. This sometimes means the saving of a great deal 
of trouble to the shepherd and loss to the flockmaster. As 
soon as a sheep is seen to be ailing the hospital is the place 
for it. Of course this building need only be a small struct- 
ure and the cost of same merely a nominal figure. It is 
important that this place be kept scrupulously clean, properly 
ventilated, and disinfected if good results are expected and 
attained. 

The Stomach Worm. 

Strongylus Contortus is the shepherd's true terror. As 
probably most shepherds know, this is the scientific name for 
the stomach worm in lambs. The worm "pest" has been for 
the past few years, and still is, a very serious problem in the 
minds of both shepherd and flockmaster alike. There are, 



164 Fitting Sheep 



undoubtedly, many things yet left undone which ought to be 
done in satisfactorily solving this vital trouble. It is ques 
tionable whether many of our great authorities do not lay 
too much stress on old infested pastures as being the pre- 
dominant cause of so much loss among the juvenile mem 
bers of bur fiocks. This may to a great extent be true, but 
I have a case in mind where worms are working havoc 
among a flock that was turned onto pasture and where the 
hoof of sheep had never trod before the spring of the present 
year. Then again I have taken care of flocks where sheep 
have been pastured for more than a century on the same 
farm, and yet they have never sufifered from worms. Further, 
I have had charge of flocks that did not sufifer a particle 
from worms, although the farm on which the sheep were 
being pastured was situated directly in the midst of a badly 
infected area where the neighbors' lambs were dying fast. I 
account for the fact of my lambs not dying to high feeding. 
They were getting a pound of oil-cake a day while those of 
my neighbors were getting nothing more than the ordinary 
pastures afiforded them. I have never had serious trouble 
from the ravages of worms in my flock where I have had an 
abundant supply of supplementary rations to feed. 

I have always considered that worm trouble is brought 
about by local causes other than old pastures, such as wet, 
feverish seasons — meaning by this the conditions existing 
in summer, which season is sometimes made up of stormy "» 
weather, the intervals between the showers being excessively 
hot and enervating. The grass, being heavily charged with 
moisture, sours and fevers the lamb's stomach, making it a 
most desirable habitat for the worm. It is well-known that 
■children partaking of unripe fruit to excess are very liable to 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 165 

suffer from worms. I have always considered that sour grass 
has a hke effect on j-oung lambs. As a corrector to this state 
or condition of the lamb's stomach a ration consisting of 
oats and oil-cake is, to my mind, an ideal one. I say without 
fear of successful contradiction that where young lambs have 
a liberal grain ration in connection with their pasture less 
trouble is experienced in regard to the attack of the deadly 
stomach worm. I am a firm believer that hog cholera is 
caused by a morbid state of the animal's stomach, caused in 
a majority of cases through improper feeding, filth and 
neglect in supplying proper correctors of acidity in the stom- 
ach, and I believe that a lamb is similarly affected and that 
the morbidness of the stomach is the ideal state for the 
development of the germ. I am satisfied that a well-fed lamb 
offers but little encouragement for the attack of the stomach 
Avorm. This appears reasonable to me from the fact that 
experience has taught me that sheep, or lambs rather, being 
properly fed for show purposes, do not suft'er from their 
attacks. 

Have we yet a remedy that is reliable as a destroyer of the 
stomach worm? My candid opinion is we have not. It is 
claimed that benzine will destroy the deadly pest. Experi- 
ment has not yet satisfactorily proved it to the writer. I 
will give my experience along this line. 

A little over a year ago I selected four lambs very badly 
'infested with stomach worms. Two of these I drenched as 
prescribed by the advocates of benzine. After due time had 
been allowed for the medicine to take effect I killed the two 
lambs and made an examination of the fourth stomach ex- 
pecting to find the lambs either free from worms or the 
:Stomach containing nothing in the shape of worms but dead 



166 Fitting Sheep 



ones. My expectations did not realize however, for a health- 
ier lot of worms I never saw inside the fourth stomach of a 
lamb, and I have seen a good many. This experiment not 
being just what I wished or expected I made up my mind 
that J would make another one. This time I took the twc^ 
remaining lambs and gave them a double dose of benzine, or 
in other words, I gave them twice the quantity prescribed 
by those recommending its use. I expected that this treat- 
ment would kill the lambs right off, but it did not. It badly 
intoxicated them. . On the second day after the lambs had 
received full treatment I killed both of them expecting to 
find the stomach entirely free from living worms. Judge my 
surprise when upon opening the stomachs of the lambs I 
found them literally alive with worms. Now, if the benzine 
was of ordinary strength, which my druggist assures me it 
was, I have no other alternative but to think that benzine 
does not actually do all that it is claimed for it in destroying- 
stomach worms. 

It is a question in my mind whether a remedy so volatile 
as benzine is known to be, could ever reach the fourth stom- 
ach in sufficient strength and quantity after evaporation and 
dissemination through the system, and its becoming mixed 
with the juices of the first stomach as to destroy the worms. 
But you say the lambs are to be deprived of both food and 
water for a considerable time before the medicine is adminis- 
tered, and that the stomach will be practically free from 
liquids! While this may be true in part, the fact still re- 
mains that there is a considerable amount of liquid created 
by the salivary glands, which becomes mixed with the benzine 
in the first stomach and does its work in reducing the 
strength of the benzine. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 167 



If it were practicable to administer the benzine in its raw 
state or full strength in the shape of a ball, as is sometimes 
given to horses, we might, perhaps, expect better results 
than from reducing its strength by mixing it with milk, etc., 
before administration. 

To Prevent Attacks of the Gadfly. 

This pest sometimes causes considerable trouble in the 
flock. The most simple and effectual remedy I am acquainted 
M-ith is to bore a number of holes in a log, fill them with salt 
and then smear tar over the holes — being of course careful 
not to entirely obliterate them. In trying to get the salt the 
sheep unconsciously smear their noses with tar. The holes 
should be bored high up in the log so as to prevent the 
sides of the sheep from becoming daubed with tar. Some- 
times by plowing up a small patch of land on which the sheep 
lay or fold during the day the attacks of the gadfly are les- 
sened, as when the newly-plowed land becomes dry the 
sheep, by their stamping and running in trying to evade 
this dreaded pest, causes a dust to rise which proves unfavor- 
able to its presence. 

Constipation. 

Constipation is the cause of great mortality among young 
lambs. Especially is this true where an attempt is made to 
raise early lambs where succulent rations are not provided. 
Most shepherds, professional and otherwise, sometimes find 
a lamb that will appear dumpish, refuse to suck, and other- 
wise act stragely, although perhaps he has sucked and got 
along in fine shape for four or five days previous to acting 



168 Fitting Sheep 



thus strange. Constipation is the cause of these symptoms^ 
Upon giving the little unfortunate an injection of either soapy- 
water, or raw linseed oil, it will be found that little time will 
elapse before he will commence to suck with its oldtime 
vigor. A small dose of linseed oil administered to the ewe 
will sometimes bring about a change in the ewe's system that 
will prove beneficial to the lamb. Change of the e.we's food 
— not rapid — is usually the best course to pursue to correct 
irregularities in the system of the offspring. Oil-meal or 
oil-cake is a very valuable addition to the ewe's ration where 
troubles from constipation are at all prevalent. 

Shepherds who desire to have as little trouble as possible 
along this line should not fail to plant a few acres of roots 
for their sheep; it will repay them ten-fold in curtailing the 
loss of lambs from constipation, to say nothing of the in- 
crease in quality and size of the lambs. 

White Scours. 

Almost all people having had experience in handling either 
calves or lambs are pretty well familiar with the symptoms 
accompanying this trouble. It is a common disease, but 
rarely appears in an epidemic form imless where grave 
errors and mistakes have been made in feeding. The real 
cause of this trouble is the souring or curdling of the milk 
in the lamb's stomach. While nature intends the mission of 
the fourth stomach to be that of curdling the milk to a certain 
degree, to facilitate digestion, this organ can be easily over- 
worked, overstrained and damaged by receiving milk in 
excessive quantities, or of too rich a nature or quality. 

The first important move to be made in the treatment of a 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 169 

lamb suffering from white scours is to dissolve the curd in 
the stomach, and empty both it and the intestines of all 
unhealthy matter. Sulphate of magnesia, one ounce; ordin- 
ary cooking soda, one-fourth ounce; ginger, just what can 
be taken up on a dime, mixed in a little flaxseed gruel, will 
bring about what is required along this line. Four hours 
after giving the above dose administer four ounces of lin- 
seed oil to the little sufferer. It is important that the ewe's 
diet be changed and the lamb be kept from drinking large 
quantities of water. Of course the shepherd must regulate 
the dose according to the age of the lamb. 

The Liver Fluke. 

American llockmastcrs have much lo be thankful for when 
the immunity their flocks enjoy from this dreaded trouble 
is considered. The flockmasters of Great Britain have, with- 
out doubt, experienced more loss from this one disease than 
from all other diseases combined. Happily they have not 
experienced much loss in this respect during the past few 
j^ears. The time is quite fresh in the writer's memory when 
thousands upon thousands of sheep were lost from the rav- 
ages of this insidious foe in one short season. Thousands 
of sheep were sold for little more than their pelts would 
bring, and wagon loads of carcasses were being shipped 
daily from almost every little country station that was sit- 
uated in a sheep raising district. Many flockmasters were 
financially ruined by the pest. One farmer lost $15,000 worth 
of sheep in a single season. It is estimated that over 2,500,- 
<X)0 sheep perished from this fatal malady in one year. There 
is not a shadow of doubt but that liver rot, which is caused 



170 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

by the liver fluke, is a disease more common on low, wet 
and marshy land than on lands that are high and dry, there- 
fore the benefit accruing from keeping our flocks on dry, 
healthy land must be obvious. That the fluke does some- 
times exist in sheep that are to all appearance healthy, I 
know from the fact of often finding them in the livers of 
strong, healthy, fat sheep which I have slaughtered for the 
market. A flukey or "coathed" sheep is rarely found on the 
salt marshes of England; this shows that salt must be un- 
favorable to the well-being of the deadly pest. 

Wool Balls in Lambs' Stomachs. 

There is not much doubt but that wool balls in lambs* 
stomachs are often due to the presence of ticks or other ver- 
min which at times invests the lamb's body. The irritation 
caused by these pests causes the lambs to bite themselves, 
small particles of wool are taken into the mouth, and the 
wool finds its way into their stomachs. Then, again, no doubt 
wool balls are sometimes caused by a depraved appetite due 
to derangement of the digestive organs or apparatus. 
Further, they may be caused by the lamb getting wool front 
the ewe when sucking her. When a lamb is suffering from 
this trouble it usually refuses its food and appears very dull 
and stupid. 

Lambs of the long-wooled breeds sufifer more from this 
trouble than either the medium or fine-wooled sheep. 
Whilst frequent doses of linseed oil will sometimes relieve 
the little sufl'erer, cures are like angels' visits — few and far 
between. 




■'^\ 



1 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market 173" 

Stretches. 

When a sheep is seen to suddenly fall down, lay on its 
side, and stretch itself out at full length it is said to be suf- 
fering from the stretches. This trouble is a species of indi- 
gestion which is generally brought about through lack of 
succulent rations. Stretches are rarely met with in a flock 
where roots are freely used. The novice, or young shep- 
herd, may easily mistake this trouble for a case of j'eaning, 
the symptoms being somewhat similar. The best remedy 
I have yet tried for stretches is melted lard. For an adult 
sheep about one-quarter of a pound is the right quantity to 

use. Use a drenching-bottle or a tablespoon in administer- 
ing the dose. 

Navel III. 

This complaint is not nearly so prevalent in this country 
as it is in England. I can only account for this from the 
fact that the lambs are more liable to come in contact with 
mud, filth, etc., in the English fold than thej- are in the barn 
and yards in this country, which condition makes it favor- 
able for the work of bacilli. The best remedy for navel ill 
is a little powdered bluestone put on the wottnd; this will 
kill the germ, the wound will quickly dry up and a cure will 
be effected. If applied as soon as the first symptoms of 
trouble are noticed the cure will, of course, be more rapid. 

Qarget. 

Garget, in some seasons, is very prevalent in the flock and 
the cause of much trouble to the shepherd, while in others 
little trouble is experienced. The American shepherd has 



174 Fitting Sheep 



much to be thankful for considering the small number of 
cases of this kind he has to deal with as compared to what 
the English shepherd has to contend with in a season. A 
considerable number of cases of garget are no doubt brought 
about through the ewes lying on the damp ground in cold 
weather. Another sure cause of garget is the allowing of 
ewes to go unattended to when having lost their offspring. 
It is usually the best milking ewes that are either ruined or 
lost from this trouble. 

Ewes, when found to be attacked with garget, should be 
at once given some opening medicine, preferably a dose of 
Epsom Salts, and the udder should be bathed with warm 
water into which an ounce of ordinary cooking soda has 
been added. After the udder has been thoroughly dried 
with a coarse towel or something of that kind, it should be 
dressed with a mixture of lard and turpentine, or common 
camphorated oil, preferably the first named. 

In the case of abcesses forming they should be carefully 
opened and the wounds thoroughly washed out with a car- 
bolic acid solution, or any other good antiseptic wash. 

Of course the offspring must be taken away from a ewe 
that is suffering from this trouble. 

Ewes Casting Their Withers. 

When the womb or "lamb bag" of a ewe comes out she 
is said (to use the oldtime shepherds' phrase) to have "cast 
her withers." In replacing a ewe's withers the greatest 
care must be observed that they are thoroughly cleansed of 
all foreign matter, such as dirt, straw, etc. I have always 
found it easier to perform this work with the help of an 



FOR Show Ring and Market, 175 

assistant, who lays the ewe on her back and then taking her 
hind legs he gently raises her hind parts about a foot from 
the ground, thereby greatly facilitating ease in getting the 
organs back into their proper places. As soon as they are 
replaced the shepherd should take a leather band, fasten it 
around the sheep just back of the forelegs and then take 
another and fix it in such a position that it will reach from 
one side of the ewe clear around her stern and fasten again 
on the other side; a support should be provided by tying a 
strap or cord over the hips to hold this up. This being 
done, take a pint of water and put into it about a teaspoonful 
of finely pulverized alum and two teaspoonfuls of sugar; 
then thoroughly dissolve and inject with a syringe into the 
womb. This should be repeated twice daily. The mix- 
ture should be warm when iniccted. 



Scab. 



Scab is a terrible disease, one which has probably caused 
more worry and loss to the world's flockmasters than all 
other diseases combined. Unfortunately the disease is not 
peculiar to any one country, but is found working its rav- 
ages more or less in all countries where sheep are found. 
Although legislation has been resorted to and money has 
flowed like water from the exchequers of the various gov- 
ernments which have seen fit to treat this disease as a serious 
national afifair, the disease is yet a long way from being one 
which we may call of rare occurrence. Although England 
is, comparatively, a very small country and the laws as applied 
to scab and other contagious diseases very severe and al- 
ways rigidly enforced, still the disease is quite common even 



176 Fitting Sheep 



in that country. Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, South 
Africa, all have had their troubles in grappling with this 
terrible disease. Then our own great country has had an 
■experience along this line which has been anything but 
pleasant. True, legislation has come to the aid of flock- 
tBasters, but it is certain that the lime and sulphur decoc- 
tions, such as are recommended by the officials in charge, 
are not doing the work that a good dip is expected to do in 
eradicating the pest from the animal and leaving its fleece 
and skin in a healthy and desirable condition. 

When a sheep is attacked with the scab mite it becomes ex- 
ceedingly restless and soon becomes a most abject speci- 
men of the woolly tribe — indeed, is the very picture of mis- 
ery. In its endeavors to rid itself of the tormenting pest 
it bites its sides, scratches itself with its hind-feet, and other- 
wise acts strangely in endeavoring to relieve itself of its 
tormentor. The disease usually first makes its appearance 
along the sides of the animal, eventually extending to the 
neck and back, in fact it rapidly spreads all over its body. 
A sheep that is attacked with scab, if rubbed on or in the 
neighborhood of where the scab mite has taken up its abode, 
will show its appreciation by moving its lips and even nib- 
bling the hand of the operator, as if thanking him for afJord- 
ing the relief. 

Scab is a disease of a highly contagious nature, and one 
that must be treated promptly and thoroughly as soon 
as it is known to exist. The first thing to do is to 
•dip every sheep on the farm, or ranch, as the case may be. 
Dip them thoroughly; don't dip them as if you wanted the 
job hurried over and out of the way, but dip them as if you 
were determined to eradicate the pest if thoroughness and 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



method counts for anything in dipping. What should we 
use? Any of the proprietary dips made have, no doubt, their 
merits over the deadly lime and sulphur decoctions recom- 
mended and used by some. It is highly important that every 
individual sheep be thoroughly dipped and all surrounding- 
fences, the inside and outside of the barn or anything that 
it has been possible for the sheep to rub themselves against 
be sprayed with a good disinfectant. The same kind of dip 
that will kill the scab mite on the sheep will make a good 
and cheap disinfectant. Apply with a good spraying ma- 
chine. After the elapse of about ten days from the time the 
sheep were first dipped, dip again thoroughly. 

Don't on any account spare time or money to make your 
work a success if you wish to save your flock. The great 
secret in dealing with scab is to deal with it thoroughly at 
the start. After you have thoroughly mastered the enemy 
make your work as efficacious as possible by whitewashing 
the barns and fences. 

Tapeworms. 

I have often been questioned by farmers relative to what 
the little white, oblong, fleshy-looking particles are that are 
sometimes to be seen in the sheep's manure. While most of 
us know what they are, still there are a good many that do 
not know that these are segments of the tapeworm. 

One drachm of oil of male shield fern given in about twa 
ounces of castor oil, after the sheep has been fasted for twelve 
hours, is one of the best known and most effective remedies 
for this trouble. 



178 Fitting Sheep 



Inflamation of the Eyes. 

Most people who have had the least experience with sheep 
have at some time met cases where sheep or lambs have 
"been sufifering from inflammation of the eyes or, as it is 
scientifically known as ophthalmia. Quite often it is difficult 
for the shepherd to correctly determine the true cause of this 
trouble. It sometimes breaks out in epidemic form. The 
most common cause of this disease is exposure to cold winds 
and draughts. When a lamb is attacked it generally becomes 
partially or totally blind. That this disease causes great 
pain to the little sufiferers is evinced by the way it afifects 
them. A zinc lotion is the most useful remedy in treating 
cases of this kind. The best way of procuring this is to get 
your druggist to prepare it for you just as he would prepare 
it for use if for family use. 

Quidders. 

This is the name by which sheep that drop their "quid" 
are known. Quidding is sometimes caused by a defection 
of the animal's teeth, but more often by indigestion. When 
a sheep is sufifering from this trouble it will be seen to drop 
a small ball of partially masticated food from its mouth. It 
is rarely that a complete cure of this trouble is brought 
about. I have used the following remedy with varying re- 
sults, but to be honest, hardly ever has a cure followed its 
use: Administer a dose of Epsom Salts and supply the ani- 
mal with food only of a succulent nature. When a sheep 
is found to be suffering from trouble of this nature it should 
be fattened, if possible, and sent to the market, as it is very 
rarely that they prove profitable as breeders. Where a 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. ISl 

■flock has had poor treatment and been fed irregulany cases 
■such as these are most pervalent. 

Joint=Evil. 

Joint-evil is a disease closely allied to rheumatism. It is 
a disease peculiar to young lambs, and is often brought 
about by exposure to draughts in poorly built or dilapidated 
barns. Sometimes they will be attacked so severely that 
abscesses will form in their Joints, causing no end of suffering 
to the helpless creature and trouble to the shepherd. Where 
snug, but of course well-ventilated barns, and proper care 
on the part of the shepherd is in evidence lambs do not often 
suffer from .this trouble. An embrocation of lard and tur- 
pentine makes one of the best remedies for this trouble that 
I have ever used for this disease. In preparing it sufficient 
turpentine should be used to make it about the consistency 
of good cream. After thoroughly rubbing the embrocation 
"vvell into the affected parts they should be well bandaged. 
I have tried many remedies recommended by veterinarians, 
but none appeared to have such a beneficial effect as the one 
I recommend above. In England it is thought to be a dis- 
ease closely allied to blood poisoning. I have found that 
sheep of all ages seem to suffer from joint-evil there, but 
in this country every case I have met with has been con- 
fined to very young lambs, therefore it i.«; hard for me to 
readily take the English view of the matter. 

Diarrhoea. 

Diarrhoea quickly proves fatal where the animal attacked 
as not promptly attended to. This trouble is usually brought 



182 Fitting Sheep 



about by the animal partaking to freely of succulent ra- 
tions. Frozen rape or frozen clover is also a sure cause of 
diarrhoea. The first thing to do in a case of diarrhoea is to 
administer a dose of castor oil, after which give one dram of 
laudanum, one dram powdered ginger, and prepared chalk, 
twelve drams. Dry rations of a poor quality should be 
given the sufferer until a change takes place. 

Tumors. 

There are few people having had experience with sheep 
but what have seen them suffering, more or less, from small 
tumors in the throat. Sometimes these are the true symp- 
toms of tuberculosis, and it is highly undesirable to retain 
sheep in the flock showing troubles of this nature. The 
tumors should be opened and washed out with a rather 
strong solution of carbolic acid. After having been well 
washed out a little ball of wool should be inserted in the 
wound to keep it open so that the pus or matter may escape 
freely. 

Caked Udder. 

Caked udder is frequently the cause of considerable anxiety 
and no little trouble to the shepherd. It is a trouble rarely 
found among the poorer milkers of the flock, but quite often 
among the good ones. Cases of caked udder often develop 
directly after weaning and are, in many cases, chargeable 
in a great measure, to the carelessness of the shepherd, or 
the one in charge, in not giving the attention needed at 
that particular time. Sometimes after we have satisfied our- 
selves that a case of caked udder is cured we find the orifice 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 183 

of the teat closed and of course that organ rendered useless. 
With the use of liniments, however, the teat may sometimes 
be started again; when this fails to efTect a cure the use of 
the milking tube may bring about the desired efTect. Gen- 
■erally, however, when a ewe is found to be badly injured 
from such a cause it is found best to fatten her and sell her 
for butchering purposes. One of the best liniments we can 
use in the case of caked udder is composed of lard and tur- 
pentine mixed to the consistency of good cream. This 
should be well rubbed in three times daily; each time this 
operation is being performed the operator should try the 
teat to see if the orifice is clear. 

Abortion. 

There arc many causes for this trouble; prominent among 
them being crowding the ewes through narrow doorways; 
turning them up for the purpose of dressing their feet, and 
improper feeding, such as feeding frozen turnips, etc. Con- 
siderabe loss has been known to arise from the ewes eating 
too much salt; this, of course, only happens when the ewes 
have not been regularly and properly salted. 

When a ewe appears dull and stupid and isolates herself 
from the flock, upon examination she will almost invariably 
be found to have either aborted or has a dead lamb within 
lier. Where the ewe becomes injured within a week or two 
previous to the time she should lamb, and the lambs or lamb 
"die within her, there is great danger of losing her, unless 
attended to at once. When the lambs are not promptly re- 
tnoved, blood poisoning usually sets in, and of course, 
-death quickly follows in its wake; therefore, it is imperative 
that just as soon as the shepherd is satisfied that a ewe has 



184 Fitting Sheep 



dead lambs in her he should lose no time in removing them. 

If the shepherd has cuts or wounds of any kind on his 
hands he should refrain from performing the operation him- 
self, for if blood poison is in evidence serious results may 
follow such a course. 

Before attempting to relieve the ewe the operator should 
carefully trim his fingernails to avoid injury to the womb. 
He should also anoint his hands with some lubricant of an 
antiseptic nature, such as carbolized oil, carbolized vaseline^ 
or carbolic soap. 

When relieving the ewe of a dead lamb the operator should 
study her comfort as much as possible. It is usually more 
handy to have her lying on her back when taking the lamb 
from her, but where the operation is necessarily slowly per- 
formed, her position should be changed once in a while so 
as to rest her. It is important that the operator does not 
attempt to pull the lamb away, only in sympathy with the 
exertions of the ewe to eject it, or in other words, he should 
pull only when the ewe strains. 

Sometimes the k.mb is more easily removed by taking its 
intestines out as it lays in the womb, after which its legs 
can be easily removed by getting hold of the blade bones by 
putting the hand inside the lamb and skinning them out of 
its body, as it were. By forcing the finger through the under 
jaw of the lamb a good, firm hold is obtained which aids 
much in getting it away successfully. Slipping a piece of 
cord with a running noose over the under jaw or the foot 
of the lamb also gives the operator a good purchase. Vio- 
lence must be avoided in performing this operation or the 
ewe will almost surely succumb. Where the time occupied 
in relieving the ewe is somewhat protracted, stimulants 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 185 

should be administered. While the taking away of a live 
lamb from a ewe is, comparatively, an easy matter, that of 
taking away a dead one is usually a very difficult one to 
perform. 

Occasionally, abortion makes its appearanace m epidemic 
form, but in nine cases out of ten this is the result of im- 
proper feeding. It is always well to remove ewes that have 
aborted from the main flock and the foetus or dead lamb be 
either burned or buried, as there is no doubt but what there 
sometimes exists a type of abortion in the flock that is 
highly contagious. 

After a ewe has been relieved of dead lambs she should 
receive warm carbolic solution injections twice a day." It 
is important that the placenta or "cleaning" be removed as 
soon as the ewe is relieved of the dead lamb, otherwise the 
«we will become very weak and very likely die from exces- 
•sive straining while endeavoring to relieve herself. 

Lice. 

Where the dipping of sheep is neglected they not only be- 
come covered with ticks, but oftentimes with lice also. These 
parasites are a constant drain on the system of the sheep 
and it is highly important that they be destroyed by dipping. 
It is not good policy to allow chickens to run at large in 
the sheep barn, as the sheep will very likely suffer more or 
less from the vermin that are usually found in their com- 
pany. 

The Sheep Tick. 

It seems remarkable in this day of enlightment, when 
cheap and eft'ectual proprietary dips are scattered broadcast 



186 Fitting Sheep 



over the land, as it were, that ticks should be allowed to 
work such ravages among the flocks of our country. There 
is no doubt but that thousands of dollars are lost annually 
by our flockmasters by allowing this pest to "live and wax 
fat" on their flocks. No sheep can possibly thrive when 
covered with ticks. The tick is by no means a difficult thing 
to get rid of, two thorough dippings, one in the spring and 
the other in the fall, will act both as a preventative and. 
cure of this trouble. Oftentimes shepherds — I mean sheep- 
keepers — find, upon shearing their sheep in the spring, that 
they are covered with ticks as thick as leaves in Vallom- 
brosa. This should not be where the shepherd has the 
least regard for the comfort of his flock. Do not be guilty 
of keeping fowls among the flock as advocated by some 
authors, as this is entirely against the common accepted rules 
of up-to-date practical shepherding. No modern shepherd 
will allow a fowl of any kind near the sheep barn. The 
reason is obvious when we consider that sheep must have 
their hay-racks, feed troughs, etc., scrupulously clean, to say 
nothing of annoyance of the fowls eating of the sheep's 
grain, and chicken lice overrunning the place. Dipping is 
the only reliable way of eradicating ticks or other vermin 
that sheep are prey to. Dipping in lime and sulphur decoc- 
tions will, no doubt, kill ticks, but still no modern shep- 
herd will use or recommend such a mixture, as lime must 
be very injurious to the skin and fleece, being that depila- 
tories are largely made up of the former-named article. 

Footrot. 

Foot-rot is a terrible disease to have in a flock of sheep. 
Where it has been allowed to run rampant for any consid- 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 187 

■erable time on a farm without being effectually checked the 
whole premises are liable to become so thoroughly impreg- 
nated with the germs of the disease as to render them al- 
most impossible to completely eradicate it, even where the 
most thorough measures are practiced to bring about a 
desirable issue; it usually means a hard and continuous 
fight to keep it under. It is. comparatively, a very easy 
matter to take a sheep that has one or every foot literally 
rotten with the disease and with a few careful but thorough 
•dressings with some suitable composition to efifect a cure 
in a wonderfully short time. But this does not mean the 
■worst part of the trouble is overcome. It is the preventing 
of the trouble continually breaking out anew that worries 
the life and patience out of the shepherd. After a dry spell 
he will be congratulating himself that he has not a lame 
sheep on the place, but upon stormy weather coming along 
disappointment comes too, for the whole flock may be limp- 
ing from the horrible disease ere a week has elapsed. 

I will guarantee a perfect cure of the worst case of foot- 
Tot where the afifected animals are treated as I advise in the 
following lines, but I do not guarantee to bring about the 
complete eradication of the disease from the flock unless after 
the feet have been patched up and disinfected the sheep are 
removed to pasture where foot-rot has never existed. 

The first essential in battling with foot-rot is that the shep- 
herd cast aside sentiment, and with a very keen knife cut 
deep down into the seat of the disease. Cut every particle 
of diseased or loose hoof away. If the hoof appears sound 
and still the sheep be lame, cut into the hoof until blood or 
matter comes; search for matter, and don't give up seeking 
for it until you have found it, if the animal is lame. Cut 



188 Fitting Sheep 



and scrape every particle of any foul matter. Although it 
is not so well to cut so deep as to draw blood, don't let the 
sight of blood bar you from thoroughly doing your work, 
for just as long as there is a particle of pus or foul matter 
remaining untouched by the acids I advocate using further 
on, no hope of a healthy foot can be entertained. One great 
point the operator should observe, however, is not to cut 
the "toe vein" or the blood will spurt out in a stream and 
greatly interfere with the work of cleansing the foot. The 
"toe veil!" is situated at the tip of the toe. After a thorough 
paring and cleaning the foot of foul matter apply thoroughly 
one of the violent but effectual remedies I shall treat of 
below: 

Blue vitriol, butyr of antimony and muriatic acid, equal 
parts by weight, forms a dressing that will dry, harden and 
knock the disease out of the most rotten foot in about a 
week. Red lead, blue vitriol and nitric acid, equal parts, 
mixed, will fix the worst case of foot-rot at one dressing, if 
thoroughly applied. As soon as the foot is dry and hard 
anoint it with tar; this will make the hoof pliable and healthy. 

Grub in the Head. 

It may read a little curious to mj' readers when I say that 
I have found more of these pests in the heads of apparently 
healthy sheep than I have seen in diseased ones. In the 
slaughtering of sheep having horns it is usual, after they 
have been stuck and life is extinct, to chop their horns ofif 
close to the head. Upon the cavity at the base of the horn 
being exposed to view I have, on many occasions, taken 
from this cavity a large, fat, white, or pale yellow worm 
resembling in every way the so-called grub-worm. I have 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 191 

also killed many sheep suffering from gid, or in other words, 
sheep that were giddy, or unable to stand, and who acted 
very much like a person badly intoxicated, but have in many 
cases found no worms in their heads, but in the place of 
worms a small bladder containing water. 

Without the operation known as trepanning I cannot 
clearly see how the grub can be dislodged from its habitat. 
I have made many attempts at doctoring sheep suffering 
from gid or grub in the head, but have never yet succeeded 
in saving one. 

If the sheep attacked be in good flesh I should advocate 
slaughtering same for use, as the grub in the head cannot 
possibly do any harm to the flesh of the animal, provided 
it is killed before the nervous system becomes badly de- 
ranged. 

Bloat. 

Bloat is generally brought about by the sheep eating too 
freely of succulent rations such as rape, clover, etc., espe- 
cially when heavily charged w^ith moisture either from rain 
or heavy dews. Frozen rape, or clover, is also a cause of 
bloat. When suffering from this trouble, sheep appear un- 
comfortable and their stomachs become abnormally dis- 
tended, especially on the left side. 

The shepherd should always carry with him a trocar with 
which he may "tap" an animal that has become "blown" or 
bloated. This should be inserted at the most prominent 
point, or where the stomach is most distended, which will 
be on the left side. It is most important that the trocar be 
inserted in such a way as to avoid striking the kidneys of 
the animal; danger from this being greatest where the ani- 



192 Fitting Shefp 



mal is fat and the kidneys large. After an animal has been 
"tapped" it should receive a dose of linseed oil. Where the 
attack is not a violent one a dram of hypo-sulphite of soda, 
a dram of ginger and three drams of spirits of ammonia 
mixed will quickly efifect a cure. In cases of this kind the 
use of the trocar can, of course, be dispensed with. 

Broken Limbs. 

Although not common, cases of broken limbs do some- 
times occur in the flock. Sheep suffering from broken 
limbs should be kept where they can remain free from moles- 
tation by the other members of the flock. 

The first thing to be done in the case of a broken limb is 
to "set it," that is, the bones should be placed in proper 
position just as soon as possible after the shepherd has no- 
ticed what is wrong. As soon as the bone is in proper posi- 
tion take a piece of cardboard and after placing same around 
the broken limb wrap a strong linen bandage around this. 
If the bandage is dipped into starch previously to being 
wrapped around the cardboard it will be more efifective. 

Urinary Troubles of Rams. 

Stoppage of the water is a very common trouble among 
rams. It is oftentimes brought about through their eating of 
foods of a highly nitrogeneous nature; such as corn, peas, 
etc. ^Mangels are also responsible for the bringing about of 
stoppages of the urinary organs or passages. 

When a ram is attacked with stoppage of the water he 
refuses his food, pants, groans, stamps his feet and strains 
violently in attempting to relieve himself of the pent-up 



FOR Show Ring and Market. I9li 

fluid. Where the cause is not quick'v removed and relief 
brought about death will most assuredly result from his 
system becoming poisoned by the absorption of urine. 

I once cured a very bad case of this kind by administering 
a dose of Epsom Salts, followed by a dose of sweet nitre 
given in gruel, and after the elapse of three hours the admin- 
istration of eight grains of belladonna. This trouble is quite 
common with show rams. 

Colic. 

Colic is distinguishable from stretches in that the animal 
in lying down groans and grinds its teeth in the place of 
stretching itself out at full length and acting as if trying to 
get on its back for relief. Colic is usually caused by the ani- 
mal partaking too freely of succulent rations, especially 
frozen rape, clover and such like. Unless quickly relieved 
inflammation sets in and the animal quickly succumbs. Re- 
lief is brought about by administering one dram of laudanum 
and one dram of powdered ginger in flaxseed tea. 

Rupture. 

Ewes heavy in lamb are sometimes the victims of rupture, 
or hernia. When a case of this occurs a strong, broad 
bandage should be placed around the patient in such a posi- 
tion as to support the ruptur 

Just as soon as the offspring is weaned she should be fed 
and turned into mutton. 

Sore Teats. 

When ewes are not good milkers they are very liable to 
suffer from sore teats, caused by the efforts of the offspring 



194 Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

biting them in endeavoring to obtain sufficient nourishment 
Sometimes the teats become so sore that the ewe absolutely 
refuses to allow her lamb to suck. 'In a case of this kind 
the ewe and lamb should be penned up, but in such a way 
that the lamb can suck only at certain intervals during the 
day — say, three times a day. If this plan is followed, and 
the teat anointed with vaseline directly after the lamb has 
got all the milk the ewe has, a cure will soon be effected. 

How to Bleed a Sheep. 

In certain diseases to which sheep are subjected, such as 
apoplexy, overheating, etc., bleeding is, without doubt, of 
the utmost value and benefit, and many a good sheep has 
been saved by being bled when suffering from disorders of 
the nature of the above-mentioned. Every shepherd should 
carry with him either a thumb lancet or a set of fleams (see 
illustration), with which he may bleed any sheep which he 
considers would be benefited by bleeding. The first thing to 
do when bleeding a sheep is to "swell" the vein. This is ac- 
complished by tying a cord around the animal's neck. This 
cord, when properly adjusted, prevents the circulation of the 
blood through the veins in the ordinary course intended by 
nature. Just as soon as the vein is opened the blood spurts 
out, and if the cord is allowed to remain on the animal's neck 
it quickly bleeds to death, but upon the cord being loosened 
the bleeding immediately stops, as there is nothing to inter- 
fere with the natural circulation of the blood. The novice 
should shear off that portion of the wool that grows directly 
over the vein of the neck, as it will give him a better facil- 
ity for opening it. As soon as he is sure of the location 



a, 

a 
X 

VI 

O 

z 

3 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market 197 

of the vein he should take the smallest of the set of fleams, 
and after being assured that the point is well on the vein, 
drive it into it with a smart cutting blow from a short stick 
similar to a hammer handle or something of that kind with 
which he should be provided before commencing operations. 
If he manages to hit the vein squarely the blood will spurt 
out in a stream. As soon as he is assured that he has taken 
blood enough away he should remove the cord and bleeding 
will immediately cease. I should have mentioned that the 
operator should make it a point to open the vein lengthways 
and not crossways, as it will be found necessary to pin the 
orifice of the wound where the vein is opened by cutting it 
in the last-mentioned manner, but unnecessary when opened 
as recommended. 

Nodular Disease of the Intestines. 

Nodular disease of the intestines of sheep was in exist- 
ence among our flocks long before serious attention was 
drawn to its presence by scientists. Although it is now 
over twenty years since I took my first lesson in the slaugh- 
terhouse, even at that time I quite often noticed those cheesy 
looking little bunches or nodules on the intestines which 
characterizes the disease now known as nodular disease. 
This disease was not at that time thought serious of, it being 
quite common among sheep of the very finest quality, in 
fact, that was my experience, as I never handled any other 
grade in all my experience as a slaughterman; it is now, 
however, rated among the most deadly diseases to which 
sheep are susceptible. Previous to my attention being 
called to its true character by the agriculttiral press of this 



198 Fitting Sheep 



country I had always considered this phenomena to be the 
result of a violent cold the animal may have at some time 
been suffering from. The true cause of this disease was 
brought about in a somewhat novel way. Perhaps it may not 
be generally known that a small '"black gut," as the smaller 
of the intestines is known to the butcher, was before the 
manufacture of the artificial, used in sausage casing. 

Quite often these casings were found to be defective or 
easily broken, and were quite useless for the purpose for 
which they were intended, and investigation for the real cause 
of this trouble led to the discovery of the parasite which was 
responsible for that condition of the intestines, now known as 
knotty guts or nodular disease of the intestines. That sheep 
do live and thrive without showing the least symptoms of 
the presence of such an enemy I have every reason to be- 
lieve, for, as I have before intimated, I have quite often 
found them existing in sheep that I have slaughtered that 
in every way appeared healthy, vigorous and strong; and 
quite a number of those sheep that I have killed in recent 
years have been more or less affected, although showing no- 
symptoms of the existence of this disease. Whether or not 
there is a cure for the trouble I am at present imable to say^ 
but I consider it to be an exceedingly difficult disease to 
treat, and there is little hope of a cure, on account of the 
situation of the nodules making it somewhat difficult for 
medicine to reach the seat of the trouble. 

Hints on Making a Post-Mortem Examination. 

Every shepherd would be doing an exceeding wise thing 
if he would make it a point to open and make a thorough 
examination of every sheep that dies, excepting those from 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 199 

a contagious disease. He will therebj- get a prettj- correct 
idea of the cause of the animal's death and will gain knowl- 
edge that may in the future be the means of saving the lives 
of animals of great value. 

Although not absolutely necessary that the young shep- 
herd should be versed in the science and art of dissecting, 
he should have sufficient knowledge, however, in this re- 
spect, to allow of his opening a sheep or lamb in such a 
way and manner that each internal organ of its anatomy will 
be clearly laid open to view and inspection. 

Without a slight knowledge of the anatomy of the animal 
he is working in the dark, even in such trivial matters as 
knowing where to examine for the now common stomach 
worm. It is surprising how many people, when examin- 
ing the stomach of a sheep for worms, overlook or fail to 
find its home or habitat, simply because they take the fourth 
stomach to be an intestine instead of a stomach. In the 
half-tone used in illustrating this article is a mark showing 
just where the fourth stomach is situated, so that should any 
of my readers have occasion at any time to make an exam- 
ination for the dreaded pest they may strike the correct 
place right ofif without trouble. The lamb which is the sub- 
ject of the illustration above mentioned was opened in the 
■way and manner that I recommend and describe below. 

In opening a sheep for the purpose of making a post-mor- 
tem examination of it, a somewhat dififerent method is used 
from that usually employed by the slaughterman in opening 
animals when dressing them for the market. 

Before commencing a post-mortem the operator should 
provide himself with a liquid disinfectant wherein he may 
dip his hands occasionally as a safeguard against blood- 




3C ^ 






< o 

< 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 201 

poisoning. A solution of carbolic acid makes a splendid 
antiseptic and disinfectant for this purpose. 

In making the post-mortem examination instead of cutting 
the sheep down through the breast and belly as is usual in 
dressing an animal for the market the operator lays the ani- 
mal on its back, takes one of the hind legs in his hand and 
with his knife cuts through the flesh of the "groin." or the 
inside of the leg. to the bone. If the operator has pressed 
rather heavily on the leg he will notice that his knife has 
managed to steer in the exnct direction where the thigh 
joint lies. This should be dislocated or unjointed and laid 
on the ground. Now the skin should be removed from the 
side with one or two passes of the knife. In the hands of 
a skillful operator the whole of the skin along the animal's 
side and whole shoulder is %«moved. Of course none but 
those having had considerable practice along this line are 
expected to accomplish this very readily at first. The skin 
of the side and shoulder being loosened and allowed to lay 
on the ground, the whole of the abdomen is laid open. Now, 
instead of opening the breast bone in the center, as the 
slaughterman does in dressing an animal, the operator 
should take his knife and cut through the ribs at a point 
about an inch below the breast. Here the bone is very soft, 
being little more than a soft cartilage. To expose the cav- 
ity of the chest it is necessary that the whole side of the 
ribs be disconnected frojn the vertebrae, or backbone. This 
is very easily accomplished by cutting down through the 
ribs, taking about two at a time, in the exact same manner 
as a butcher would in cutting ofT a mutton chop. As soon 
as the knife reaches the backbone the operator presses hard 
on the ribs, and they will readily leave the backbone or 



202 FiTTiN(; Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 

vertebrae. In the case of young lambs the whole side of 
ribs can be broken down after being cut once down through 
the gristle above mentioned. If the knife be run along the 
joints where they join the backbone the ribs will be found 
to break down much easier. 





LAMB DRESSED WITH LONG BACKSETS 



Fitting Sheep for Show Ring and Market. 205 




PART VI. 

Slaughtering and Dressing Sheep and Lambs for Market. 

HAT appears under this heading is the outgrowth 
p of several years' practical experience by the 
writer in the slaughtering and dressing of sheep 
and lambs intended for display before the aristo- 
cratic patron and the aristocratic butcher of 
%<^^%^%^ both this and the old country. 

"^ In England, where the writer spent many of 

his youthful days as a "knight of the cleaver," butchering, as 
a trade, is carried on, on lines bordering perfection. I have 
never yet had the privilege of seeing displayed in any coun- 
try the carcasses of animals so beautifully dressed as those 
prepared by the butchers in England, the elegant, flowery, 
finished style of dressing approaching a real work of art. 

The reason of this is clearly apparent when it is understood 
that one has to serve a two or three years' apprenticeship to 
the business in addition to the payment of a premium of 
from $250 to $500 before he becomes the possessor of the 
countersign that passes him on to the lucrative employment 
with an up-to-date purveyor of meat. 

The writer looks back with fond remembrance and pride 
to the time when at the age of 20 he held the position of 
first in slaughterhouse to one of the old country's most 
prominent butchers. 



206 Fitting Sheep 



Whilst it is, comparatively, an easy matter for me to tell 
the reader how to respectably dress a sheep or lamb for the 
market, I could not promise to make a proficient butcher out 
of him without his studiously devoting himself to the prac- 
tical work. "Practice makes perfect," and it is by continual 
practice only that a butcher can ever hope to become an 
■expert in his business. The shorthand writer, and the tele- 
.graph operator can best understand what practice means in 
regard to speed and cleanliness of work. Speed means 
■cleanliness and neatness in slaughtering. 

No one will, I think, question my contention that the 
■shepherd or flockmaster who can dress his fat stock neatly, 
and put same directly in the consumers' hands, or nearlv so, 
thereby monopolizing the middleman's profits, is an econo- 
mist, and is making the best of circumstances. It should be 
borne in mind, however, that sheep and lambs must be 
dressed in a neat, business-like manner when intended for 
the market, or the probabilities are that the price received 
irom the consignment will not be just what the vendor ex- 
pected. 

There is money in really good, fat spring lambs when 
properly marketed. I have sent good fat Dorset spring 
lambs to restaurants in Philadelphia which, in the month of 
February, realized as high as $io per head at a dressed weight 
■of twenty-two pounds, whereas a lamb weighing from five to 
ten pounds more would not perhaps in June fetch more than 
one-half that amount. 

The one most vital point that proves fatal to overlook, is, 
-whether catering to the wholesale, retail or private trade — 
that nothing should be ofTered but prime ripe, fat animals, 
dressed in a neat, clean and business-like manner. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 20T 

Among English butchers it is a common saying that "a 
fat animal dresses itself." Nothing to the author's mind 
offers such a deplorable spectacle from a butcher's point o£ 
view as a half-fattened, ill-fed carcass of lamb. The meat 
from such appears dirty and unwholesome in contrast with 
the well-fattened one, whose caul and kidney shows up as 
clean and bright as the new minted dollar. 

Selection of Fat Lambs. 

A lamb having a fat tail has almost invariably a thick, beau- 
tiful caul and kidneys — a great desideratum. It docs not 
follow, however, that a lamb with a thick caul and kidneys 
is in reality a good lamb in the truest sense' of the word. 
The ]\Ierino, for instance, as is also the case with the 
Channel Island breeds of cattle, almost invariably, when in 
good condition, carry most magnificent cauls and internal 
fat, but having been bred along lines other than for mutton 
and beef production, respectively, are decidedly indififerent 
for these purposes. Individuals vary considerably in quality, 
even among one and the same breed, and fed under the 
exact same conditions, but it must be borne in mind that 
the best markets demand a good article, therefore, when 
mutton and lamb arc considered, none but prime thick- 
fleshed animals should be selected for slaughter, or for ship- 
ment at least. 

To ship a half-fat, ill-dressed sheep or lamb to a commis- 
sion house and expect "returns" equal to those received 
from the prime article is, to say the least, placing the sales- 
man in a queer predicament, for he cannot possibly get such 
results; therefore it is imperative that the shipper be very 



208 Fitting Sheep 



careful in selecting the lambs which he intends for slaughter. 
It is not the weight or age of the lamb that commands the 
price, but rather the condition and quality. 

For degree of thickness of the flesh, the loins, twist and 
scrag are the principal points to be examined, when these 
points are found to be thick and full, and in their com- 
pany we find a fat tail we may feel satisfied we have a good 
subject for slaughter. 

When inspecting and selecting fat stock for suitable sub- 
jects for dressing it should be handled freely and not deli- 
cately, as if handling a delicate fabric. 

Fasting. 

All animals should be fasted not less than twelve hours be- 
fore being killed. The meat undoubtedly settles and cools 
better, to say nothing of the danger of the bursting of the 
intestines being minimized in the process of dressing. 

Appliances for Slaughtering. 

The appliances necessary for the home slaughtering of 
sheep and lambs are few in number, and of but moderate 
cost. A sticking knife, a skinning knife, a small pulley and 
rope for the purpose of hoisting the animal after being 
"legged," a few back-sets and a bundle of skewers make a 
fairly respectable outfit for the "home-made" butcher. 

Sticking. 

Nothing chills the blood of a professional butcher more 
perhaps than the perusal of some articles in which ama- 
teurs or novices pretend to give instructions how to kill 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 20^ 




LAMB DRESSED WITH SHORT BACKSETS 
BACK VIEW. 



1^10 Fitting Sheep 



and dress sheep and lambs for the market; many of which 
advocate kilhng by decapitation with the broad-ax. That 
decapitation with the broad-ax will quickly terminate a 
sheep or lamb's existence there is not the slightest doubt, 
but it is an uncouth, dirty, impracticable method to pursue. 
I have had practical experience in quite a number of up-to- 
date slaughter houses, and opportunities for observation in 
many more, but I have never seen an animal decapitated with 
this instrument in either yet. ^ 

The sticking knife is what its name implies and is the 
tool par excellence for dispatching animals intended for 
•conversion into human food. 

Again, the novice tells us that the carcass should be washed 
both inside and out. What for? pray! Unless dirt and filth 
has accumulated on the carcass? Why wash what Nature 
has seen fit to keep scrupulously clean? An unclean, unskill- 
ful manipulator of the knife has undoubtedly great cause for 
washing both the inside and outside of the carcass he has 
been working on, but a skillful one has no further use for 
water other than what he uses in rinsing his "wiping cloth." 

Further, the novice will tell you that the wool that comes 
in contact with the f^esh gives the mutton a woolly flavor. 
The way a professional slaughterman opens the skin of or 
dresses his sheep entirely prevents the wool coming in con- 
tact with the flesh, so I can hardly allow this theory to pass 
unchallenged. 

Here is my theory, which, I am satisfied, is well grounded, 
from what I have observed after a long and careful study of 
the subject: When an animal has laid for any considerable 
time after being killed, gas accumulates or generates in the 
stomach This gas has the exact same odor as is carried 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 211 

by mutton known as ■"woolly" mutton. Where, as in some 
cases, two or more slaughtermen are working in company 
it is usual that quite a number of sheep are "stuck down'" 
at one sticking, and it is then noticeable, usually, that by the 
time the last one of these is dressed, the stomach has become 
distended with gas. Upon smelling the inside of this car- 
cas the "woolly" odor is plainly smelt; therefore, my conten- 
tion is that a slow dresser is the manufacturer of woolly 
mutton. Scarcely is the life out of the animal before the gas 
commences to accumulate. The swelling of the stomach 
proves this. This is the commencement of decay. It is a 
well-known fact that a "gutted" carcass does not decompose 
nearly so rapidly as one remaining intact, or not "gutted." 
It appears somewhat unreasonable to the writer to sup- 
pose that wool in coming in contact with the flesh for so 
short a period and in so slight a degree as is usual in the 
course of dressing a sheep or a lamb, can possibly be the 
cause of woolly mutton, because the skinning of a sheep 
should not, at the outside, take more than ten minutes, 
wlien done by one laying any claim at all to being a 
butcher. The record time for dressing sheep is, I believe, un- 
der three minutes. Now when we consider the case of 
newly shorn sheep it appears almost impossible that the 
woolly flavor of mutton can be traced to the wool through 
coming in contact with the flesh, but the truth is the woolly 
flavor is no less in evidence in newly shorn sheep than in 
those clothed in their longest or heaviest coats — where the 
animal has been allowed to lay for any considerable time 
after being dead before being "gutted." Further, it appears^ 
very unreasonable to suppose that through the wool com- 
ing in contact with the flesh on the outside of the carcass that 



212 P'lTTiNG Sheep 



this should impregnate the inside of same with that woolly 
flavor of which it invariably smells the strongest 

In sticking both sheep and lambs where modern appli- 
ances are not at command, the intended subject for slaugh- 
ter should be placed on its l.^ft side with its head over the 
gutter that should run thjough the slaughter house, the 
operator then taking its head or nose and underjaw together 
in his left hand, plunges the sticking knife clear through its 
neck at a point just back of its ear and as close to the jaw 
bone as possible, and then, with a quick motion of the 
knife cuts toward the vertebrae. This severs the jugular 
vein, and the animal's life blood rapidly flows away. In 
sticking a sheep it is not necessary or even advisable to sever 
either the windpipe or the tube through which the food goes 
on its journey to the stomach. 

Pithing. 

The butcher will perform a very humane act by "pithing" 
the subject he is working on. This is done in the following 
manner: Put the left hand under the animal's lower jaw 
and the other on top of its head, or poll then by pushing or 
bearing down on the head with the right hand and pulling 
up with the left hand the vertebrae of the neck disjoints and 
allows of the finger passing to the spinal cord. This is easily 
severed by the fore-finger. This being done there is no 
possible chance of the animal bleating, or ever regaining its 
feet again. The first lamb dead furnishes the means of hold- 
ing or pinning the next intended victim in place for stick- 
ing. Put it on its left side, then push its under legs under- 
neath the body of the dead lamb and it is helpless after an- 
other one has been placed in like position with its legs 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 213 

placed underneath it. Put all you intend "sticking down" in 
this "fix," then "stick" the whole of them, being careful, 
however, not to stick more than you or your company can 
dress in a reasonable time. In winter fewer should be 
^'stuck down" at a time than in summer, as they will soon 
become cold and stiff and will not dress nearly so nice as 
when not allowed to become cold and stifif. 

Legging. 

By "legging" is meant the opening and loosening the 
skin of the legs preparatory to the animal being hung up 
for the removal of the skin from the body. In legging an 
animal a proper skinning knife should be used, or one not 
so extremely pointed as is the sticking knife. As soon as 
life is extinct lay the animal on its back, then take its left 
front foot, or leg, between your knees and take the skin 
on the fore part of the shank between the forefinger and 
thumb of the left hand and with a steady, vigorous pull, pull 
it away from the shank-bone, then with an upward cut with 
your sharp knife, the whole of the skin on the fore part of 
the shank may be loosened at one sweep. The skin must 
■now be opened from the knee down the side of the breast to 
a point in the center of the under jaw. In opening the 
skin keep your knife a little to one side: this prevents of its 
'"dipping" into the flesh. As soon as the skin is opened 
the edges on either side of the opening must be loosened a 
very little by skinning in the ordinary way with the blade 
of the knife. Now the remaining part of the neck, leg, etc.. 
is easily and rapidly skinned by a vigorous pounding vt^ith 
the handle of the knife, between the skin and the flesh. The 
■less that the skin is removed from the animal before being 



214 Fitting Sheep 



hung up, in reality, the better, as the carcass is better pre- 
served from dirt, etc., and the less the blade of the knife is 
used in skinning the better, if you want to make time. 

The other front leg may now be treated in precisely the 
same manner, only that it is not necessary to open the skin 
fiiftiier than at point of breast. 

I have found it best, in the case of mature sheep, to loosen 
the skin from of? the breast whilst the animal lays on its 
back on the ground. This is accomplished by placin* the 
skin already removed from the animal's neck in its ordi- 
nary position, and on this place your foot, then grasping 
the loose skin at the point of the breast you pull the skin 
backward toward the stern of the animal. If it appears that 
the breast fat is coming ofif the breast in company with the 
skin, the knife must be used to free it. As soon as the 
thick skin of the breast is loosened the skin around the 
underside of ribs and belly can be loosened almost in a 
moment by holding the skin firmly in the left hand and 
pushing the other hand vigorously between the skin and the 
flesh. 

Wizzling. 

"Wizzling," in slaughter house vernacular, means the 
loosening of the gullet or tube that conveys the food to the 
stomach from the neck, so as to allow of its being with- 
drawn with the stomach and intestines of the animal. TJiis 
tube, it must be mentioned, after being loosened from the 
neck, is cut ofif about equidistant from the breast and jaw. 
and securely tied to prevent escape of contents of stomach. 

The operation of "wizzling" is performed in the following 
manner: In a straight line from point of the breast to under- 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 215 

jaw open with your knife; the first thing you will notice 
will be the windpipe; care should be used not to cut this, 
although it is not really important to do so. Underneath 
the windpipe will be found the gullet or, rather, the "meat 
gut." snugly hidden away. This must be loosened from the 
neck, tied and cut ofY, and then with a gentle pull should be 
loosened from the chest, but not detached from the stom- 
ach. If the outside brown casing be carefully cut you will 
notice underneath a white, tough, muscular tube. This is 
the meat gut, proper; the brown-looking outer tube being 
the casing or protection to the gullet, proper. If a circle be 
described around the white tube by cutting the brown cas- 
ing clear around and the tube then tied m a knot at this 
point, there will be no danger of the knot slipping or unty- 
ing. Care must be observed not to cut through the white 
tube, or a disagreeable leakage will result. 

The hind legs must now receive attention. Take the left 
hind leg between your knees, then open the skin at about 
three inches below the hoof on the back part of the leg 
where the tendons are situated; in doing this it is well to 
leave a little of the skin on around the leg next the hoof. 
(See illustration.) Continue opening of skin to point of 
tail. As soon as you find the skin tolerably free on the edges 
from skinning with blade of knife, pound the skin free with 
the handle of your knife. The skin is easily divided from 
the flesh by thus proceeding. The remaining leg being 
treated in like manner, the subject is now ready for hang- 
ing up, the pulley now coming into play for this purpose. 
Should the operator not happen to have at hand the little 
iron hooks or gambrils usually used for the purpose of sus- 
pending the carcass, he may insert his knife between the 



216 Fitting Sheep 



cords and shank bones of the legs — hind legs, of course — and 
after inserting a small piece of rope or strong twine several 
times doubled through the holes made by doing this and 
tying same securely, hang up the carcass by this. 

The animal now being hung up the operator should allow 
of the escape of all drainings of the veins by sticking his 
knife into the breast of the carcass much in the manner that 
is usually followed in the sticking of a pig or steer. The 
blood readily escapes and makes the matter of dressing more 
cleanly. Having proceeded thus far, we now pull the skin 
from ofif the hind legs by a downward vigorous pull. By the 
putting of one's wrist against the "veil" or inside skin, or 
film, when pulling the skin will prevent this being torn which 
is of much importance in the skillful dressing of sheep and 
lambs. Now loosen the thin skin on the inside of the hind 
legs; this is best accomplished by ordinary skinning with 
the blade of the knife. In skinning this part be particular to 
keep the skin strained tight; this greatly facilitates the oper- 
ation of skinning. The main opening of the skin is now 
made by cutting straight down through the skin of the belly 
at a point from the udder or scrotum, as the case may be, 
to the point of the breast. The skin is now easily freed 
from the belly and sides by vigorous punches between the 
skin and the flesh with the fist or the handle of the knife. 
In removing the skin from the shoulders and the partially 
skinned shanks of forelegs, the first should be fist driven 
directly through between the skin and flesh, with a down- 
ward thrust, beginning at the point of the shoulder blade; 
then with pressure of the arm and elbow the "whole busi- 
ness" is removed from side and shank in a "jiffy." 

This done, take the shank of left front leg in your right 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 217 

hand and with the left, strip the skin back toward the 
backbone. This is easily done. Treat the remaining side in 
the same manner, only reversing position of hands. Now 
if the skin be loosened from the rump-fat, the skin can be 
easily pulled from off the back and detached with the knife 
at base of the skull. In dressing wethers care should be 
taken that the scrotum fat be left intact — i, e., it should not be 
cut off. 

Washing. 

The carcass of an animal should never be washed; that 
is, considered in the true sense of the word; but, rather, be 
wiped with a cloth that has been thoroughly rinsed and 
wrung as dry as possible immediately before using. As soon 
as the blood-stains, etc., have been removed by the wiping- 
cloth, the operator should empty the veins of the back of 
blood; this is accomplished by a kind of scraping of the 
veins with the knife, commencing on either side of the 
backbone and scraping toward the belly. 

Gutting. 

Gutting is the act of removing the entrails of an animal. 
First, the breast bone must be divided. This is readily 
accomplished in the case of lambs and young sheep with the 
knife, but in the case of aged animals an old knife and ham- 
mer, or a meat saw, must necessarily be used to divide the 
somewhat harder bones. By inserting the knife at the open- 
ing at the breast or throat of a Iamb and by an upward 
drawing cut, the knife quickly opens the tender bones of its 
breast. Care must be used when nearing the diaphragm or 



218 



Fitting Sheep 



the knife may slip through the soft, grisly bones of the 
breast and cut the stomach. This would be fatal as regards 
cleanliness in dressing an animal. Perhaps it would be ad- 
visable for the amateur to remove the stomach and intestines 
before attempting to split up the breast; if this plan is fol- 
lowed the udder or scrotum, as the case may be, should be 
opened by the hands after the membrane of the flesh has 
been divided. These will divide in sections in the exact 




GRADE YEARLING WETHER. 



same way as will an orange — only there is but one division — • 
and will look much better than when wholly divided with 
the knife. When dressing sheep or lambs it is not neces- 
sary or even advisable to open them between the legs, as is 
usually done in dressing cattle, etc., as the flesh is not only 
more exposed to, or liable to become covered with, dust, etc., 
but assumes a dark, dry and unpleasing appearance and lacks 
that freshness that is so much in evidence where they are 
left intact until ready to be cut up and off'ered for sale. 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 219 

The belly may be opened either by cutting through di- 
rectly below the division made by dividing the udder or 
scrotum, or by opening in line with the breast that has 
been recently split or opened. However, the first mentioned 
would be the better plan for the novice to pursue until he is 
more familiar with the anatomy of the animal. It is an easy 
matter now for the beginner to either "split down" the 
breast with an old knife and a hammer, or anything handy, 
or to saw with meat saw without danger of the subject 
under treatment becoming saturated with any undesirable 
matter. The "pluck," "hinge" or "haslet" (heart, lungs, liver, 
■etc.) can be easily removed after cutting or loosening the 
diaphragm. Now wipe inside clean with damp wiping-cloth 
and we are ready for setting up in artistic style the carcass. 
The style being determined upon we commence business. 

Skewering up the Shanks, etc. 

In cold weather the legs of lambs should be skewered up, 
as no doubt this adds much to the beauty and finish of the 
carcass, but in hot weather they should be left in their natural 
position. When the legs are skewered up the surface of the 
flesh between the shoulder and breast does not dry and 
consequently the flesh, in warm weather, quickly turns green 
at that point. By referring to the various illustrations ac- 
companying this article the reader will readily understand 
how the legs or shanks of a lamb are skewered up. Where 
skewers are not at hand, the shanks can be held in their 
proper position by wrapping one of the cords — found inside 
of the muscle of the legs — around the shank where the foot 
is taken of?. In opening the muscle for the purpose of 



220 Fitting Shefp 



finding these cords it should not be cut crossways, as by- 
doing so the cords will be severed, but should be cut length- 
ways. When taking off the fore feet of a lamb the operator 
should be careful to take them off at the proper "lamb 
joint," or he will be at once branded an amateur. The "lamb 
joint" is not really a joint, but the connection of two bones 
which appear as if cemented together. This connection is 
found situated in the shank just above the principal joint of 
the foot. By drawing his knife across the inside of the fore- 
leg at the point above mentioned and severing the cords^ 
the operator can easily disconnect these bones. 

Fixing: up a Lamb. 

Alarkets differ somewhat in requirements as regard style 
and finish in which sheep and lambs should be dressed. 
Mature, heavy weights are usually dressed in plain style, 
i. e., without backsets of any kind. (See illustration.) The 
sides and back, however, may be made to assume an artistic 
and pleasing appearance with the knife in the hand of a 
skillful butcher. 

In lamb dressing, the New York market asks for a Iamb 
dressed with double backsets (see illustration), whilst the 
Boston market calls for only one backset. 

As soon as the entrails and haslet have been removed and 
all trace of drainings and smearing of blood eliminated with 
the damp wiping cloth, the backsets should be used in 
spreading out the carcass to the best advantage. Backsets 
can be made out of almost anything that goes in the makeup 
of a store box. Split a piece of board, leaving it about twO' 
inches wide and from one foot to eighteen inches long, ac- 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 221 

cording to size of lamb being dressed; sharpen at both ends 
and you have a cheap and quickly made, but nevertheless 
serviceable backset. These should be provided previous to 
slaughtering, or where the butcher is not a fast dresser the 
lamb is liable to become cool and lose the desirable gloss 
that is pleasingly conspicuous in quickly dressed ones whilst 
he is preparing these. 

The novice quite often makes the mistake of having the 
backsets too long, which, instead of answering the one most 
important purpose of contracting or thickening the loin or 
flank they, on the contrary, spread them too much. 

Before inserting the backsets in their proper positions 
the lamb's back should be broken. Breaking a lamb's back 
in the process of dressing not only makes it considerably 
easier for the operator to properly fix the backsets in their 
proper positions, but helps materially in setting it ofif to 
advantage. When the back is broken just behind or back 
of the kidneys, these organs, clothed as they are in snowy 
white fat, assume a fuller and more beautiful appearance, 
especially when they are neatly and properly finished by be- 
ing fixed up with skewers. Skewering up the kidneys so as 
to make them appear artistic and pleasing to the eye is no 
mean accomplishment, and one that is not so easily acquired 
as might be at first expected. Unless great care is used 
there is always a great danger of breaking or bursting them — 
the kidneys, or, more proper, the kidney fat; then, added to 
this, there is always considerable difficulty experienced by 
the novice in getting them to assume the right poise or posi- 
tion to make a harmonious and pleasing picture. The easiest 
and best way to break a lamb's back is for the operator to 
place one hand on the back directly behind the kidneys and 



■222 Fitting Sheep 



the other under the breast, and then pushing hard against 
the back with one hand and lifting up the breast with the 
other, the work is easily accomplished. 

In warm weather the fewer skewers that are used in the 
■dressing of a lamb the better, as without doubt skewering 
•does not tend to enhance the keeping qualities of the meat, 
but, on the other hand, injures it, as meat will invariably 
turn green where the skewers are inserted, quicker than any 
in other parts of the carcass. 

The illustration accompanying this chapter will explain 
how the backsets are inserted better than can the descriptive 
powers of the writer in a volume of words. 

The backsets in place, the subject is now ready for the 
caul, which should have been neatly and carefully removed 
from the belly, etc., and placed inside the warm skin of 
the animal, which should have been folded and preserved 
after being taken ofif. This keeps the caul warm, which is 
absolutely necessary to dress a lamb neatly. Don't do as 
many amateurs recommend, viz., put the caul into hot water; 
this is entirely unnecessary and a direct injury, as it de- 
stroys the gloss of the caul and makes it look rough and 
brittle, as against the smooth, glossy and tough appearance 
of that kept warm by the natural animal heat of the skin. 
Care must be observed in putting on the caul. As soon as 
you have it spread out handily wrap it around the hind legs 
and allow it to hang from them; cut two small holes for the 
kidneys to come through; then skewer up kidneys as seen 
in the accompanying illustration. A careful study of the 
illustration will, I think, give the reader a very clear idea of 
how the caul, etc., is fixed. 

The finishing stroke in the dressing of a lamb is to elim- 



FOR Show Ring and Market 225 

inate all blood, moisture and undesirable matter from its- 
throat by thoroughly wiping it with the wiping cloth after 
same has been thoroughly rinsed and wrung as dry as pos- 
sible. 

How to Fix a Poor Lamb so as to flake It Appear Fat. 

"There are tricks in all trades but ours." All kinds of 
trickery, by all classes of people, in all classes of business are 
sometimes resorted to "to turn an honest dollar." Slaugh- 
termen that are "sleek" at their business can fix up a poor, 
thin-fleshed lamb in such a way as to deceive those not well- 
versed in the business. By what is known as "blowing" the 
legs and kidneys of a Iamb, it can be made to assume a 
thick, full and rotund appearance. In "blowing" the hind 
leg of a lamb the operator should make a nitch in the skin 
on the inside of the shank and insert his steel between the 
skin and flesh for the purpose of separating one from the 
other; then place the month close to the nitch and inflate the 
leg. Slaughtermen in the old country use a machine for 
this purpose. The kidneys are also inflated to give them a 
full and plump appearance. Another method employed by 
some butchers to give the kidneys a rotund, full appearance 
is that known as "padding." By "padding", is meant stuffing 
something behind the kidneys, such as paper, wiping cloths- 
or rolls of caul, while yet warm. A poor-looking lamb may 
be materially improved by covering it in the course of dress- 
ing with the caul of a good, fat wether sheep. The above- 
named methods and many others of a like nature are em- 
ployed in the dressing of lambs in the slaughter house, but 
of course only by dishonest slaughtermen. 



224 Fitting Sheep 



Packing and Shipping. 

Where lambs are hog-dressed — i. e., merely gutted and 
left with skins intact — no packing is necessary, but where 
they are fully dressed with backsets, etc., they should be 
neatly sewed in cheese-cloth or some light, clean-looking 
material. It is usual in the case of spring lamb even where 
backsets are used, to leave the skin on the animal's back, and 
also to leave the haslet intact and the head on. I have 
found it a good plan in shipping to make a light frame or 
crate of a size that will accommodate two lambs. These 
should be firmly tied to the crates to prevent the breaking of 
the caul and otherwise damaging the appearance of the 
consignment. 

Cleanliness. 

"Cleanliness is next to Godliness." In no other business 
is this adage more applicable than to that of butchering. 
Speed and cleanliness should be the watchword of the butch- 
er. All tools should be kept scrupulously clean. The butcher 
should keepr both himself and surroundings scrupulously 
clean; all carcasses and the cloths in which they are en- 
veloped and expressed should bear the impress of care and 
cleanliness, so that the article will command notice in the 
most desirable markets. 

How to Cut up a Mutton Carcass. 

In addition to slaughtering, every shepherd or flockmaster 
should have a pretty clear idea of how to cut up a carcass of 
mutton in a business-like way and manner, for then he is 
enabled to dispose of his surplus or cull stock to advantage 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



225 



among his neighbors. No one will question but that a 
carcass cut up in a clean, business-like manner is more at- 
tractive and salable than when cut up in a rough, uncouth 
manner. When cutting up a carcass the operator should 
make it a point to cut clear through the flesh to the bone 
with his knife, and not leave part of it for the saw to go 




1. Leg. 

2. Loin. 

3. Rib. 



4. Breasl. 

5. Neck or Scrag. 

6. Shoulder. 



7. Shank. 



through, as by doing so the meat is jagged, which makes it 
appear very unpleasing to the sight. As soon, however, as 
the knife reaches the bone he should desist and use the saw, 
as cutting the bone with the knife of course dulls its edge. 

In the accompanying illustration the dotted lines show 
where the diflferent joints, or sections, of mutton are located,, 
as defined by the Chicago butchers. Of course in different 
localities different styles of cutting are in vogue, but I 



226 



Fitting Sheep 



think the one treated of here will answer all intents and 
purposes of the average flockmaster or shepherd. 

In cutting up a carcass of mutton the operator first cuts 
it in halves at about where the dotted line appears in the 
center of the body, and the halves are then split into quar- 
ters. In cutting a saddle of mutton the two loins should 
be left intact or undivided, as shown in the accompanying 
illustration. If the tail is split up a couple of inches it adds 
to the appearance of the saddle. 




SADDLE AND LEGS FROM GRADE YEARLING WETHER. 



FOR Show Ring and Market, 227 



On Judging riutton Sheep. 

OOD judges of mutton sheep are those who, 

after examining the various points of a sheep- 

(?) •"."^f^^ojB can, to use an old country phrase, tell how it will 

-JrS^J^^L^ "kill." It is, comparatively, an easy matter for 

^" '"^ a breeder to tell us whether or not a certain. 

»4.«iP¥'^"$= sheep of the breed he champions is, or is not. 




*?" truly conformed, true to type, and symmetrical, 

but for him to determine whether it will "kill well" and under 
ordinary circumstances prove profitable to the butcher is 
quite another matter. A sheep may appear thick and squarely 
built but may nevertheless make anything but a profitable 
carcass from the butcher standpoint, for the reason that its. 
thickness is not made up of desirable flesh but rather of 
superfluous blubber. Sometimes we find sheep dressing not 
more than 60 lbs. giving more actual weight of flesh than 
others dressing over 100 lbs.; while the flesh of the loin of the 
former would perhaps be as broad over as a dollar, that of 
the latter would not be larger than that of a fifty cent piece. 
Then again wc find in some 100 lb. carcasses of mutton 20 
per cent more flesh than are found in others of the same 
weight. From this we can easily see the advantage a butcher 
has in profit making when he is a really good judge of 
what he is buying. If the joints of mutton from the sheep 
he selects for trade are not sold in their normal shape and 
condition, but on the other hand have to be reduced say 10 
per cent in weight by trimming off a large quantity of su- 
perfluous fat to make them saleable and satisfactory to his 
patrons, it is easy to see that his profits cannot be large from 
carcasses such as these. Furthermore, what makes it difficult 



'228 Fitting Sheep 



to the inexperienced to distinguish a thick-fleshed sheep 
from one excessively thick in "spine" fat, is that the fat 
is sometimes so solid and firm that it requires the most 
deUcate "touch" and acute judgment to discriminate be- 
tween the two conditions. 

You may ask how I manage to determine the difference 
myself? My answer is, although I do pretend to know, I 
cannot find words to properly explain just how I do dis- 
tinguish between the two conditions. Where two sheep 
may be selected of the same weight, from the same flock, and 
fed in the same manner, one of which may be of the un- 
profitable, thin-fleshed class, and the other one of the de- 
sirable thick-fleshed class, there is a difference in the "touch" 
of the animal which is readily recognized by the practiced 
butcher. As before mentioned, to be able to distinguish 
this difference one must have a very sensitive "touch" and 
much practical experience in handling sheep. Discord or 
harmony of touch tells whether we are handling a tub ot 
tallow or a wealth of flesh. How very liable judges the 
world over are to err in making their awards in fat stock 
classes is often and amply proved by the results of the 
block test. 

I wish it to be understood in the above paragraph that 
I do not wish to go on record as saying that animals to be 
profitable to the butcher must not be fat, for I well know 
that an animal to produce really good, sweet, tender and 
luscious meat must be fat or "ripe." But what I wish to 
convey is that fat animals are desirable only when carrying 
a wealth of flesh in proportion to and in harmony with their 
degree of fatness. No one will, I think, question my conten- 
tion that the flesh from fat animals is far and away superior 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



229 




YEARLING WETHER WHEN DRESSED. 



230 Fitting Sheep 



to that from the poorly finished ones; the flesh of the latter 
being too often tough, stringy, and almost tasteless. 

It is not my wish or intention to criticise, but I do think, 
and the block test has proved it to be so time and again, 
that the judges sometimes selected to pass on the exhibits 
at the fat stock shows are sometimes working out of their 
latitude, their decision being given too often from a purely 
breeder's or fancier's standpoint. Some years ago while 
looking over the winning pens of yearling wethers at a lead- 
ing fat stock show I was asked my opinion of a pen that had 
been awarded champion honors. I expressed myself that 
so far as the weight of the animals was considered na 
doubt the judges were right, but if they considered those 
the kind of animals that would make the butcher money 
they had without a possible shadow of doubt sadly erred in 
their judgment. They handled, to my mind, exceedingly 
blubbery and the "tokens" plainly convinced me that they 
were so sadly lacking in flesh as to be of very little use 
to the butcher. My surmises were amply verified by the 
block test. They proved to be enveloped in a thick mantle 
of useless "spine" fat that along the loins was not much 
less than one and a half inches in thickness, while the flesh 
of the loin was exceedingly poor, that streak of flesh which 
is in evidence in the loin of mutton from sheep of really 
good quality being almost entirely absent. How can a 
butcher possibly make a profit out of such animals? Where 
is our judgment when we award premiums to animals sa 
poor in flesh, and carrying such a superfluity of fat, over 
those carrying wealth of flesh and teeming with other de- 
sirable qualities? 

I cannot, perhaps, better illustrate the idea I wish to con- 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 231 




LAMB DRESSED WITH SHORT BACKSETS 
FRONT VIEW. 



232 Fitting Sheep 



vey of how ea^y it is for the inexperienced to err in their 
judgment than by giving a brief history of the yearling- 
Shropshire grade wether herewith illustrated as he appeared 
both alive and \/hen dressed. Although I call him a yearling 
he was when slaughtered but 351 days old. His dam was a 
half-blood Merino; his sire an imported Royal winning 
Shropshire. From birth to death he was crowded along 
on the best rations I had at command, among them being 
rape, lupins, thousand-headed kale and kohlrabi. He dressed 
104 lbs. net. I do not know what per cent he dressed as 
I did not weigh him when alive, but I think I can safely 
say he dressed over 60 per cent of his live weight. Before 
killing him I sought the opinion of many flockmasters on 
his merits as a mutton sheep. Without exception he was. 
conceded to be an animal of true mutton conformation and 
an ideal mutton sheep. Every one seemed surprised when I 
expressed my opinion that he was not an ideal mutton sheep. 
I did not take this stand because he was not a heavy, 
squarely-built animal, or because he was not fat enough, but 
because he did not handle as if he was as thick in flesh as 
he should be, or in other words he did not come under the 
hand in the condition that he should. I considered him 
enveloped in a mass of fat that the butcher would have 
to trim off from the various joints, with the exception of the 
legs, to make him saleable. I wish to say here it is rarely 
that a leg of mutton is too fat. Although having a pretty 
fair leg of mutton I considered him poor in twist — of course 
I did not expect him to carry such a big muscle as he would 
have if he had been left uncastrated. Reference to the illus- 
trations will prove to the reader how far I was correct in 
my judgment. It will be readily seen from the cut of the 



FOR Show Ring and Market. 



233 



saddle and legs of mutton that they are sadly deficient in 
flesh. Not in so great a degree as is sometimes the case. 
however. 

Although, no doubt the flockmaster is the one to judge and 
select animals from a breeder's or fancier's standpoint I 
have always considered the butcher to be the best judge of 
what the animal should be from the block standpoint. Where 
one is almost daily handling sheep of all breeds, grades, 
crosses and ages, and is depending on his judgment to a 
great extent for his profits, and has the opportunity of com- 
paring the condition of the carcass to that of the living 
animal, he must naturally become an expert judge and should 
be able to form a pretty correct opinion of how a sheep 
should "die" or "kill." 




INDEX. 



Abscess of joints ...., , 181 

Abortion 1S3 

one serious cause of 89 

after treatment 185 

-Advertising, value of 53 

exhibiting a good way 53 

Age, how to tell sheep's 128 

Alfalfa, a valuable sheep hay 160 

causes bloat IGO 

Alum 77 

Ammonia 78 

Antiseptics, in castrating 116 

Antiseptic, a good one 201 

Apoplexy, parturient, danger of 98 

Appliances, necessary ones 62 

Auctioneer, importance of good one 53 

Auctions, preparation for 53 

Auction sales, directions for , 54 

ring 54 



Barn, the sheep '. 71 

plan cf 71 

Bedding, barns and yards , 83 

importance of abundant 80 

Beginners handicapped 31 

Benzine, experiments with 165 

Black spots a defect 13 

Blankets, should be provided 29 

how made , 38 

Blanketing 38 

Bleeding, how to do it — when of benefit 194 

Bloat 26 

rations that will cause 191 

Blocking out. ,, , 36 

235 



236 



Bloom, a sheep not in when improving 21 

difficult to maintain 21 

what is it? 20 

Blubber 20' 

Bluestone 77 

Bowel trouble and rich milk 107 

Borax 78: 

Bran 10 

and oats a desirable ration 90 

Breeds, most precocious 123' 

wonderful transformation 50 

Breeders, don't select show stock for 64 

buy of reputable ones 63 

Breeding ewe lambs 123 

Broken limbs 192 

Butter of antimony 77 



Cabbage 152: 

Carbolic acid 77 

Carbonate of soda 78- 

Cellar, the root 912 

Castor oil 78 

Castration 115 

Catching a sheep 106 

Chalk 79 

Charcoal 79 

Champion 44 

Characteristics 10 

Chickens, should not run with sheep 185 

Classes, various described 44 

Clover hay 50 

Constitution important r 7 

Color, when to use 35 

Coloring, when advisable 35 

condemned 34 

Crook, shepherd's, the use of 106 

Clover hay 19 

Colic— symptoms — remedy 193 

Color, when to apply 36 

Colored sheep filthy to handle 35 

Coloring, secrets of guarded 35 

object of 34 



23T 



Constipation 167 

in Iambs when chilled 105- 

Cornfleld, rye in 157 

Cossets, raising 107 

Creeps for lambs 109 

Crops 12- 

spring 50- 

for feed, valuable ones 50 

Cross, a good one for showing 26- 

Culls, do not buy 63. 

D 

Devon Longwool for early lambs 141 

Diarrhoea .26, 181 

Dip, what one to use 177 

as a precaution 34 

Dipping, when and how — kind of dip 130-131 

Disaster, to avoid in fitting T 

Diseases, contagious to be guarded against 63 

Disinfectant, air slaked lime a good one 80 

a good one 201 

Docking, aged sheep 118 

most favorable time 118 

Dogs, strange 88; 

Dorset, breeding twice a year 126- 

Dorsets for early lambs 140 

Down breed hornless 13- 

breeds rarely need washing 33- 

breeds should be trimmed 55 

Doorways 88- 

Draughts injurious 79 

Drenching, how to do it 129 

E 

Ear tagging lambs 108; 

Ensilage, as a tonic 159 

too heating for breeding ewes 159 

Epsom salts 79' 

Ewe, care should be used in turning up 88 

cause of scouring 98 

Is apt 10 forget offspring 97 

lambs, breeding 128. 



238 



Ewes, breeding, ensilage too heating for 159 

breeding, and high feeding 84 

care at weaning time 113 

damaged by their own urine 22 

difficult to get show, to breed 49 

disowning Iambs 99 

fatten easier than rams 18 

feeding '■ 18 

feed for breeders.... 90 

getting in season 25 

importance of exercise 89 

let the rustle for a living 89 

masculine not desirable for 64 

matronly one preferable 6:5 

period of coming into heat 127 

pregnent, care of 87 

should be handled carefully 8S 

sorting and grading 87 

stuffing with grain wrong , 89 

with broken bags 64 

wool to be clipped from flanks at lambing time 106 

young one preferred for various reasons 64 

Exercise, important on the circuit 45 

necessary in fitting 28 

should be gentle and regular 28 

Exhibitors, honest and dishonest on same footing 31 

Eyes, Inflammation of, treatment 17S 



Fasting 20S 

Feed, effect on lambs 109 

Feeding ewes 18-19 

governed by temperament 17 

lambs 18 

punctuality important 19 

regularly 92 

Feet, care of 28 

fouling 28 

hints on trimming 28 

neglect of means foot-rot 28 

Fine wool sheep for early lambs 142 

Fitting 17 

exercise necessary 2S 



239 



Fleece 13 

of breeding stock 65 

dip detracts from beauty 34 

Dorsets generally free from spots 15 

fine preferred 65 

location of best parts 15 

of Longwools 15 

method of tying 139 

quality of individuals vary 29 

of secondary consideration 65 

should be carefully studied 15 

of show stock 14 

too long not desirable 29 

Flock, on purchasing the 63 

Flockmaster, relation to shepherd 61 

Footrot 186 

cure for 187-188 

neglect a cause 28 

Forage crops 151 

crops, introduction into England 60 

Forcing, importance of 19 

Foretop 37 

Founder 20 

overheating the cause 45 



Gadfly, to prevent attacks of 167 

Garget, causes and remedy 173 

Gestation, period of in ewes 127 

Genital organs, stimulating 26 

organs, mustard as a stimulator of 153 

Gid : 191 

Giddiness 191 

Ginger 78 

Grain 20 

danger of overfeeding 20 

how much to feed 91 

Grogginess .' 20 

the cause 46 

Grub in the head 188 



240 



H 

Hampshires, for early lambs 141 

Hampshire, and Oxford cross 27 

Handling 21 

Hay, saving 83 

Heat, period when coHuneuces in ewes 127 

Horns have been eliminated 60 

Downs and Longwools hornless 13 

Hospital, the 163 

Housing, close not recommended 27 

Hurdles, how to make 85, 87 

Hyposulphite of soda 78 



Inbreeding, not recommended 69 

Infection, danger from reduced 163 

Initials, easily made 84 

Instruments, shepherd should provide 43 

Intestines, nodular disease of 197 



Jockeying , 14 

Joints, abscess of 181 

Joint ill, cause of 79 

evil 181 

Judges, not deceived by irade tricks 29 

observant shepherd best 9 

responsibility of 9 

Judge, should be assisted 47 



K 



Kale, sheep do not bloat on 152 

thousand headed 152 

thousand headed, value for show sheep 50 

Kemp, denotes inferiority 14 

Kohl rabi, for arid regions 154 



241 



Lamb, chilled, how to revive 105 

creeps 10i> 

crop, how to have good one SS 

dead to remove 184 

the early 95- 

foods, specially prepared ones 5S 

how to suckle 102^ 

weakly difficulty in getting to suck 102 

weakly, how to feed lOS 

wrong way to come 9S 

Lambs, effects of overrich milk 18- 

effect of feed on 10& 

early, feeding and care, markets, etc 142-147 

best ration at weaning time 11$ 

fat to select 206 

feeding ! 18, 108; 

hot house, rearing of ^ 141 

marking 108 

milk fed 22 

and the promptings of nature 26 

raising on cows 25 

should be forced 110^ 

should be trimmed 32 

should not get hungry 19 

show not to be shorn 32 

spring, money in 206 

store, management of 109- 

stubborn 102 

stunted 110 

symptoms of wool balls — treatment 170' 

teaching to suck 22 

using ram 126- 

usual way of feeding 19 

young do not overload stomach 102 

weakly ones 105 

when they should come 95 

Lambing, normal conditions 98 

Lar.d, sheep sick 90^ 

Laudanum 78 

Leg 12 

Lice 185 

Limbs, broken 192; 



242 



Lime and sulphur, for scab condemned ...175 

and sulphur a depilatory 1S6 

Linseed oil for constipation 16S 

Linseed oil 79 

Liver, diseased 63 

fluke 169 

Lougwools, free frpm horns 13 

not closely trimmed 37 



M 

Maggots, symptoms — treatment . , llS-120 

Male shield feru 79 

Mangels as a feed for breeding ewes 91 

Mangel 155 

Marking ink, shepherds'.............. 84 

where to mark 85 

lambs lOS 

Maturity, about early 125 

Milk, be careful of 23 

rich and bowel trouble.. .107 

overrich, effect on lambs IS 

cow's, to be reduced 107 

Mistakes, easy for a novice.... 12 

Mustard, white 153 

wild not same as white 153 

stimulate genital organs 153 

white not same as wild 153 

Mutton form.. 9 

form, imperfect 13 

sheep, evolution of 59 

type, the importance of 40 

yellow unsalable... o 63 



N 

Navel ill, remedy for. 173 

Nitric acid 78 

Nodular disease of intestines.... 197 

Novices, hints to,.... 40 

Numbering 54 



243 



Oats 19, 15T 

and bran a desirable ration 90 

and oil rake a preventive for worms 165 

Ochre , , . 35 

Odors, danger from .' 80 

Overheating , 20 

how to treat 45 

show stock 44 

symptoms ; 45 

Oil 35 

cake 19 

cake and worms 164 

cake and oats a preventive for worms , , 165 

Overfeeding, danger of grain 20 

Overfltting , . . . , 21 

Oxford, and Hampshire cross , , 27 



Paddock, the run of 27 

Parturition, the final pains , 96 

large headed lambs 96 

Pasture ,. 49 

change of , 90 

purification of '. 90 

Peas 157 

Pedigree, comes after merit 64 

Pens 54 

Placenta, should be destroyed 83 

Post-mortem examinations, hints on ,. 198 

Precocity, most precocious breed 123 

Punctuality, the shepherd's watchword ..., ...... 20 

Q 

Quidders, cause of 178 

R 

Racks, hay, as division in the barn 71 



;244 INDEX 



Ham, fore quarters of 11 

lambs, treatment of 110 

number of ewes he should serve.... 69 

on purchasing the 64 

points of , 11 

ruddling, the 70 

saving the vigor of 70 

should be liberally cared for 54 

standing the 70 

treatment when in service 69 

turning with the flock 70 

what he should eat 69 

pampering a mistake 54 

preparing for sale 54 

should be taught to lead 28 

should not be allowed with ewe flock 84 

should not be fed mangels 155 

urinary troubles of 192 

Hape 152, 157 

amount of seed to acre 158 

in cornfield 159 

on raising 158 

soil suitable 158 

some danger from 158 

nation, ideal 19, 157 

corn not desirable 91 

and cheap and healthful ration for breeding ewes 91 

rye an appetizing 157 

spring vetch as fattening 156 

for breeding ewes, a desirable one 90 

stale detrimental 19 

succulent, advice about 50 

succulent for lambs 109 

that will cause bloat 191 

thousand-headed kale 50 

Reducing show stock 49 

Regularity, the watchword of shepherds 20 

Reversion 11 

Rheumatism, cause of T9 

Ribs, imperfectly sprung 8 

"Rib, shape 11 

Rickets 20 

Remedies, shepherd should provide 43 



245 



Roots IS 

as medicine 151 

cheaply produced 151 

danger of frozen 92 

in cold weather 155 

prevent constipation In lambs 16S 

should be kept from heating 92 

Tlosin 78 

JRupture 193 

Rye an appetizing ration 157 

in cornfield 157 

valuable 50 

s 

Sainfoin on poor soil — as a sheep food 160 

Salt, necessary 19 

Scab 175-177 

Scald, foot, cause of 80 

Scours, white 16S 

Scours, white, cause and treatment 16S 

Shape, how to mould into 32 

Shearing, how to stubbie shear 32 

stubble, described 32 

stud flocks 135 

stubble 30 

Sheep and North American winters 79 

constant handling tames 4S 

confined gets blubbery 27 

divided, two classes 59 

different ages should be separated 84 

getting off their feed 46 

haul to the grounds 46 

how to catch 106 

injured on cars 10 

showing in the rough 31 

xnany valuable, ruined 48 

not difficult to fatten 16 

show, time to shear 29 

show, the washing of 33 

show, regarding shearing 29 

shown without coloring 36 

turnip feed 1.55 

where they should be marked 85 

aintrained 47 



246 



Shepherd a business man 61 

his high calling 61 

his room 75 

relation to the flockmaster 61 

salary 62 

should not be interfered with ". 62 

Shearing, styles , 136 

Size, when it will win 25 

important 7 

where it counts 26 

Skin, what is a pink? 16 

feeding affects color 16 

Skins, paleskins 15 

Slaughtering 205-206 

and dressing — all about it 208-224 

Somersets for early lambs 1+2 

Show stock, classes 44 

Showing 47 

Shows, some of the difficulties 43 

making entries 40 

Stanchion, way to make 100 

Stimulants, the value of 98 

Stock, young to be forced 84 

Straw, the value of 83 

Stretches ITS 

Scrag 11 

Stud flocks, shearing 135 

Success, the keynote of 7 

Sulphur and lime a depilatory 1S6 

and lime for scab condemned •■ 175 

Sweet spirits of nitre 78 

Sweepstakes 44 



Tagging, when and how 128-129 

ear HO 

Tapeworms — remedies l'^ 

Tapping for bloat 191 

Tar 78 

should not be used for marking 85 

Teaser, a wether as a 70> 

the care of 70- 

Teats, sore — cause — treatment 194= 



247 



Technical points 10 

Teeth, number a sheep has 12S 

Ticks ISfi 

and show sheep 34 

Training,, importance of 47 

Tricks, do not deceive judges 29 

Trimming .".G, 37, 54 

not difficult to acquire 36 

Trocar, shepherd should always carry 19] 

Troughs, water in the barn 71 

Tuberculosis, symptoms 1S2 

Tumors 1S2 

Turnips 154 

as a feed for breeding ewes 91 

Twist 11 

difference between good and poor 12 

good denotes strength 12 

imperfect 12 

Type, changes in 9 

should be looked for 69 

varies 10 

u 

Udder, caked 182 

Umber 35 

Urine, its damage to ewes 22 

Urinary tioubles, rams cause— symptoms, treatment 192 

V 

Ventilation 79 

Vetch spring as a fattening ration 156 

spring as a starter for show sheep 156 

sand 156 

Vetches 157 

value of spring 50 

Vigor, the way to maintain 69 

w 

"Washing, soap for 33 

the benefit of 33 



248 INDEX 



Watering devices, automatic TL 

Weaning, care of ewes 113 

best time lU 

Wethers, the fitting of 40 

do not get blubbery 40 

Whiskey 79 

Whitewashing, importance of 177 

Withers, ewes casting their 174 

Wool balls in lambs' stomachs 170' 

dark, traces of 10 

Worms and oil cake 164 

the stomach, how to treat 163; 

Wound, to prevent flies from bothering 11& 

Y 

Yeaning, trouble of 97" 

the first symptoms 9S 

and stretches 17S 






iffi 



"™:';"iiii, 



''Leading Dip oi the 
Americas *' 

SMBCVRA 




ZENOLEUM 

the best known and most uniform and relialile sheep 
dip on the market, is not only the best thing in 
which to dip your show sheep, but also your lambs 
and the general flock. 

Most of the shepherds of the country know 
these things to be- true from experience. 

Vie make the statement here for fear that these 
facts may have escaped your attention. 

To those who have never tried it we would say 
that a single gallon of ZENOLEUM in a fair trial, 
will prove most convincing. 

It is endorsed by the most eminent veterinar- 
ians of the country, and practically all of the 
Experiment Stations where trials and tests have 
been conducted. Being an 

Absolutely Non-Poisonous 

preparation it will not nauseate or in any way 
debilitate the sheep or other live stock, and may 
be given internally with impunity. It rids all 
animals of stomach and intestinal worms. As a 
dip it excels for SCAB, TICKS, RED LICE, 
MANGE, ECZEMA, CATTLE TICKS, HOG 
LICE, POULTRY LICE, etc. As a disinfectant, 
dressing and healing lotion it excels for SHEAR 
CUTS, WIRE CUTS, CASTRATION, DOCKING, 
GRUBS, SCREW WORM, GALLS, SCRATCHES, 
T^HRUSH, CRACKED HEEL, CHAPPED FEET, 
etc. Send for a copy of our "VETERINARY 
ADVISER" which we mail free. Ask for price on 
a TRIAL GALLON OF ZENOLEUM. Address 

B/>e ZENNER DISINFECTANT CO. 

110 Bates St., Detroit. Mich. 



ri DIPPING SHEEP 



TUT AS now become as much a necessity as the 

shearing of them. No man who has the best 

interests of his flock at lieart now neglects this 

i m p ortant 



work. It 
not only 
improves 
the physi- 
cal condi- 
tion and 

health of the sheep, but it insures a better and 
more uniform growth of wool and a practicall}' per- 
fect fleece. Particularly should the show sheep l»e 
dipped as they will come in contact with all kinds 
of conditions and diseases when being exhibited 
amongst the sheep of less careful shepherds. Our 

"Goshen" Galvanized Steel Sheep Dipping Tank 

is at once the best and most convenient means of dipping 
sheep. Made of best ji'alvanized steel, strongly reinforced 
at top. bottom and corners with heavy iron. Seams 
stripped witli bar iron on both sides of plates and riveted 
thro\igh. Cleated run-way at one and metal roller at 
opposite end. Is economical of dip, and saves time, 
labor and money. 

"Goshen" Steel Tanks 




gTKE Goshen 
STEEL TANK* 



will be found the best of their kind. 
We make them in all sizes, all 
shapes and for all purposes. Our "^ 
line includes Tank Heaters, Feed ^""^^^-^^^^s^;^^ — --^ 
Cookers and Low Wagon Wheels. Everything of 
"Goshen" quality which means always the best procur- 
able. Our complete catalogue will be mailed free upon 
application. 

KELLY FOUNDRY & MACHINE GO. 

No. 65 Purl Street GOSHEN, INDIANA 



THE FAIRFIELD STUD 

f Lincoln 
i Sheep ■ 

WE have always for sale 1000 or more rams 
suitable for stud or range purposes, also 
two carloads oi' i^iore of yearling 
ewes and ewe lambs. 

We have fifty-four breeding ewes in our flocks 
which were the best that could he imported from 
England, also eighteen imported rams. Some of 
these being unbeaten in three countries, viz : Eng- 
land, Canada and the United States. In 1899 at 
the leading fairs in Canada and the Michigan State 
Fair we competed for, in the regular breeding class, 
twenty first prizes and were awarded fifteen out of 
that number. At the same fairs we competed for 
seven sweepstakes winning six of them. In 1900 
at Toronto, London and Chicago, in the regular 
breeding classes, we competed for twenty-two first 
premiums and were awarded sixteen out of that 
number. We also won five sweepstakes out of seven. 
Our sales for the year 1900 amounted to over 
sixteen hundred head. 

Parties wishing to see or buy good Lincolns are always wel- 
come at our home, which is situated one mile east of Ilderton and 
ten miles north of London. 



J. H. PATRICK 

legragh Off 
and Railway Station 



Postofficejeiegragh Office ||derton, Oiitario, Canada 



A GOOD SHEEP MARKING INK. 



One of the greatest annoyances that sheep 
breeders have had to contend with has been the 
marking of sheep. Ranchmen have tried many 
preparations for this purpose, but have found all 
more or less lacking in the most essential points. 
The requirements of a sheep-marking ink are: 
that it shall be permanent; that it may be easily 
taken from the fleece when the wool goes to 
market; that it may be easily applied; shall be 
ready for use; that it shall not settle, evaporate 
or fade out before it is taken from the package, 
and that it shall make a distinct and lasting 
mark, without in any manner hurting the wool 
or diminishing its price. Such an ink is hard to 
find, but Heath & Milligan Mfg. Co., paint and 
color makers, of Chicago, claims to have such 
an ink and has advertised it extensively during 
the past year, backing up its claim to have the 
only perfect material of this kind on the market 
with numerous testimonials from prominent sheep 
raisers who have used the ink for some years. 
As this Company is one of the oldest and most 
reliable in its line, it is fair to presume it will 
make its claims good. 



Established 1862. 



MALLORY 

COMMISSION 

COMPANY 

Live Stock 

Commission 

MercHarits 

Money to Loan to Responsible Parties. 

Write for Market Letters. 
Largest Receivers of Range and Native Sheep. 

Two Sheep Salesmen at Chicago. 
Special Sheep Salesmen at each market. 

Feeding Sheep and Lambs bought on Orders. 

Consign your Sheep and other Live Stock to 

Mallorx Commission Comp'y 

CHicagfo, 

Kaxksas City, 

Sotxtlx St. JosepH, 

SotitH OmaHa, 

Siotix City* 
9 SotxtK St. Paul. 



^;^ Shepherd 




above all others is the man who 
should feed ground feed. It 
should 1)6 fresh too — ground 
every few days. If he has a 
mill of his own he is complete 
master of the situation. 



The Peerless Grinder 

as shown in cut will fill the bill exactly. Crushes and 
grinds ear corn, cob and all, perfectly. Also all kinds of 
grains either singly or when mixed. Crushes oil cake, 
etc. Has large reserve capacity, is strong, durable and 
riMjuires the minimum of power for such machines. 

Write for circulars, prices, etc. See address below 



ADAM""The Fence Man'^ 

makes the very best fence for keeping in sheep and 
keeping out dogs, wolves, etc. Different styles and 

varieties, different weights, 
,A^~j>^^ir^ heights and (hfferent sized 
— ""jj^r''—^^^^^^' meshes. Full of lateral 
"" — wii'cs and cabled at top and 

bottom. It is strong, dur- 
able and lasting. Injures 
r nothing, makes no scars 
^ and pulls no wool. You 
; can sleep soundly in liic 
■ security of "Adam Fence." 
Equally good for hogs, cat 




tie and other live stock. 
Address 



"Write for circulars, prices, etc. 



W, </. ADAM, Box A'55, Joiiet, III, 



4^ 



SWIMBATH 

Non-Poisonous 



?? 



SKeep Dip Powder 

A perfect coml)iu:ition of NICOTINE 
and SULPHUR. Contains NO LIME. 
Cures scab and mange. Kills ticks and 
lice. Cheapest and best. Liberal dis- 
counts on large orders. Write for par- 
ticulars. 

The Tobacco Warehousing and Trading Co. 

LOUISVILLE, KY. 



r 



^^« "OSGOOD'' 

Is the simplest hii,'h grade, low priced Scale on the market. Vou 
cannot attord to be without one. Write for our SPECIAL PRICE 
and liberal terms. Double or combination beams; large or small 
platforms and any capacity We refer with permission to Editor 
Wool Markets and Sheep, Chicago, regarding our responsibility. 



^^% [111 'M}iMi__ 







OSGOOD SCALE CO. 



Box 186. 



BINGHAMTON, N, Y. 



^ 



LAIDLAW'S 



THISTLE 




BRAND 



NICOTINE 



^ Sheep Dips^ 

:^^=^=^== COMPRISING ^^^=^=^ 
Laidlatw's PaLtent X L All 

Nicotine Carbolic Compound 

Laidlaw's Extract of P\jre Tobacco 

Double Strong 
Endorsed by United States (Jovernment 

Laidlaw's CorvcentraLted ^ ^ 
^ ^ ^ Tobacco PoNvder 

Contains C'orrect Proportion of Suli^hur 

All Mixed and Ready for Bath 

A Dip as Cheai:) as Lime and Sulphur and Does Not 

Injure the Fibre of the Wool 

L AIDL AAVS are the oldest Nicotine (Tobacco) 
Dip Manufacturers in the world. Their Dips have 
a world-wide reputation for sure cure. For Pam- 
phlets and I'rices write 

LAIDLAW, MAGKILL & GO., Ltd. 



RICHMOND. VA. 



•Ml 



Allen Sheep-Shearing 
Machine Go. 




ECONOMY IN MAJNTENANCE 



The 

Pioneer 

American 

Slieep- 

Sliearing 

Macliine 



^ 



POSITIVELY 

THE MOST 

DURABLE 



IT is becoming a well krvown and 
established fact that the Allen 
SKeep-SKeariiv^ Machine i^ nol 

only llii! most I'coiiomiciil machine 
1() maintain, but also tiie averajic 
sliccp shearnr can do more -svoi'k 
Willi flic above machine in ten 
hours than Aviih any other. 

WHY? ISecaiiso of its extreme diiia- 
liililN-, i'eliul)ilit.v aiui sinii)licity. Noiti- 
ini,' liiit the finest material and tlie l>cst 
of workmansiiip used in the construct- 
ion of tlie ALLKN. Many of the old 
olijections sustained l>y wool sjrowers 
lia\e been done away with l>y tlie intro- 
(liK'tion of tliis niacliint! on'tho marlcet. 
TlieAIiLKN COMPANY will be phased 
to f,'ive all particulars to intendinj; piir- 
chasers and furnish them with blue 
jiriiits of sheariiii< sheds, cataloi,'ues and 
circulars. 



Keft-rences. .I.T. Murphy. Helena. Mont.: B. 
(i. Shorey, Merrill, Mont.: J. B. hong & Co., 
Great Falls, Mont.: ,1. N. VVillianison, Prine- 
ville. Ore.: A. H. Allen. BanKs. Wyo.: Kobt. 
Taylor, Casper. Wyo.; Minn. Transfer Ry. Co., 
St. Paul, Minn, : A. Ijargilliere, Soda Springs, 
Idaho; S. W. Hamilton, Winona. Minn.; Fre- 
mont Stock Yard Co,. Fremont, Neb.; and hun- 
dreds of otiiers. 



ALLEN SHEEP-SHEARING MACHINE CO. 

II Exchange Ave. *». - ■■■ 

J. s. Yards Chicago, III. 



♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦^ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦>♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦»♦ »♦♦♦♦ 



RAMBOUILLETS 

American Merinos 
DelBines 






/^UR Rambouillets are the largest 
^-^ flock of pure bred von Homeyers 
in the country. 

Our American Merinos have been 
winners both in the show ring and as 
sellers, having sold more stock rams to 
American and foreign breeders than 
an}^ other flock. 

Our Delaines are of the best quality. 

We are the largest breeders and 
dealers in range rams and choice rams 
for stud purposes. We can furnish you 
an3"thing you want in the way of a 
Merino sheep. Experience of a life 
time at j^our disposal. Over 1 200 head 
sold to range and stud flock breeders 
in 1900. Send stamp for our booklet, 
"'Merino Sheep.'' If you want the 
best, address 

A, A. WOOD & SON 

HiGkoi*y Gi^ove Saline, Mlchm 



»♦♦»♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 






Here is a Clincher! 



PAT. 




RIVET 
MAGAZINE 
^^-^ HOLDS 
t 50 



BUCKLE 
PUNCH 

A 




WEIGHT ONLY 20 OUNCES 



The handiest little eoiitrivaiice for the farmer you 
ever saw. 'i'he 

PREyVYIUTW 

Combined Riveter, 
Rivet Jlagazine 
and Buckle Punch. ' 

It will mend harness. hi-ltinLC m- anything else that a well clinched 
rivet will lujld. It is strciii^r l)ut can be carried in the pocket. It 
drives in the rivet, clinches it and counter-sinks both heads with one 
movement. It will save more than its cost in a few weeks time. 
Holds fifty rivets and is always ready for u.se. Price %\. post paid. 



Special Offer. 

pers I'or i 



To introduce this handy appliance we 
will send either of the following pa- 
ar and the Riveter, to any address for only §1.00. 



Dairy and Creamery, 
Commercial Poultry. 
Wool Markets and Sheep. 

Three {rreat semi-monthlies— the leaders in their class. All three 
papers and the riveter $1.5 i. Don't run the risk of having your 
liarness break when you are away from home. Carry tlie Premium 
Hivetei- with vnu. 

DRAPER PUBLISHING & SUPPLY CO., Chicago, Illinois. 

We make liberal inducements to agents. Sample copies free. 




THE BEST 

INCUBATOR 

Is the One that Does the Most 
Satisfactory Work. 

The poultry raiser wants the incubator which will give him the best 
results with the least trouble — the one which hatches the largest per- 
centage of eggs and produces chicks in the best condition, and at the 
same time makes the fewest demands upon his time and attention. 
We have such an incubator in 

THE RELIABLE 

and we have an equally satisfactory appliance in the famous Reliable Brooders. 
They are used all over the ivoild and have a record of successful hatching and brood- 
ing, unsurpassed by any machines made. They will do for you what they have 
done for others. 

Our 20th Century Poultry Book 

(second edition) describes every phase of the poultry question, containing chapters 
on Poultry Raising on the Farm, Feeding for Fggs, Raising Broilers, Capons for 
Profit. Pekin Ducks, etc. It will be sent free for 10 cents postagt. 

Our Poultry Yards. 

We give our personal attention to breeding extra tine fowls of all the 
Standard varieties. Eggs in season. Fully described in our 20tli Century 
Poultry Book. 

REUABLE INCUBATOR AND BROODER CO., 

Box 815, Quincy, lllinoism 



Maple Grove Herd 

OF = 

^« CHEVIOT SHEEP ^ 

CKdLmpioi\s of 1900 

One hundred and four pre- 
miums won in seven shows, 
including all sweepstakes except 
one. 

Own and bred the Sweep- 
stakes Ram at the International 
Live Stock Exposition. 

Sheep of both sexes for 
sale. 

For further information 
address 



F. B. HARTMAN 

Fincastle, Indiana. 




f Dairy and Creamery f 

Sj^ The Dairy Farmer makes money because he puts brains %8^ 

IBT into his business. No man can be a really successful dairy- ^K\ 

'?•' man vinless he is a man of intelligence. The business has ^2 

WV^ made enormous strides in the past decade, because of this Wg^ 

^HF intelligent knowledge brought to it. tI^ 

' Dairy and Creamery si^ 

semi-monthlv paper, which discusses milk and butter vll) 



. Jy is a semi-montniy paper. 

%^ making from a practical, every day standpoint. It takes 
up the dairy and creamery question in all its phases, the 
breeding of dairy cows, the care of calves, feeding for milk, 
care of milk, ripening of cream, making of butter, and is in 
constant touch with what practical men are doing. It 
doesn'tpreachnorscold— it just talksplain, common sense. 

30 GENTS A YEAR, 

(34 numbers.) 
Send for free sample cop;/. 



W^ 

^ ' 

^i^< 
m' 




special offer. 



Creum 

Coinhincd l:iv 
Bucklorun. Ij. 
youeversiiu. 
etc. instantly 
clinchint; 



For 81 we will 

send Hairy and 

ar and our Prcniiinu 

■ti r, Kivet Magazine and 

tlie li.uKiiest contrivance 

tiiHMii Is harness, belting', 

ll^lvin^,' in the rivit, 

unter-sinklnfr both 



WEIGHT ONLY 20 OUNCU 



heads. Holds flfty rivets, weighs 
onnces. Every tanner needs this ap- 
pliance. Can be carried in the pocket 



♦♦♦»»»♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦ 




i 

i 


^ 

§ 

n 



lb 

♦♦4-f 



IT has always been our aim to haA-e 
one of the k'ading flocks of Delaine 
sheep in the United States, and we can 
now honestly claim that honor. Our 
flock has always taken the lion's share 
of premiums at the leading Fairs and 
Kxpositions, and our breeding animals 
have gone into and done good service 
in most of the great flocks of the 
rountry. 

The ram Sensation, now at the head 
of our flock, is one of the best yearling 
rams in America today. Weight 172 
pounds. He will shear b}' April 1 
close to 30 pounds of wool. Ewes and 
lams of the highest ({uality alwa^-s on 
hand. 



A. T. GAMBER 

WAKEMAN, HURON COUNTY, OHIO 

On L. S. &M. S. R. R., 60 Miles East of Toledo 



♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 



:tl 




KILL THE TICKS f 

ON SHEEP * 

The most effective vermin exterminator, the ^B 

one easiest to nse and surest in results is ^^ 

Lambert's w 

Death to lice, ^ 



It kills ticks on sheep, lice on 
horses, cattle, hogs and poultry, 
and exterminates fleas and all 
other vermin. No other in- 
secticide is so largely used nor 
gives such satisfaction. Posi- 
tively non-injurious. 

100 Ounces, - - - $1.00 

5 Ounce Sample Package, - - 10c 

Valuable Booklet Free. 

D. J. LAMBERT, IHfr., 

Box 461, Apponaug, R. I. 

(Death to Lice will keep plants free from vermin.) 



(0 






p _^ oi ::: o o ._ :t o "^ ^ "'■ ? p ^ 
"" j? c ii 5^ 



^? rs^ I ° = o'S i = " ^ ^ S?-z- £§ £ ^ § > 











HILLSIDE 
STOCK FARM 

SKort Horn 
Cattle ^rxd 
Liecester vSHeep 



Our Flock of Liecesters took First Prize 

at Michigan State Fair in 1898, 1899 

and 1900; also Diploma for Ram 

and four of his get in 1899 

and 1900. 

Our Liecesters are of the best type and 
quality. Write for prices. 



JoHn MarsKall (Si Sons 

Cass City 
MicKig'an 



AN fo IJOJ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 827 564 A 



' ■ ■' 



ma 


^^^^^^^, 







